Not to be confused with Kaludiya Pokuna, Dambulla
This is believed to be the ancient Hadayunha Pirivena built for the monks of Dhammaruchika by the General of King Kassapa IV [(898-914 A.D.) Nicholas, 1963; Wikramagamage, 2004]. The pond of this site is supposed to be the ancient Porodini Pokkarani that is mentioned in the Tablets of Mahinda IV [(956-972 A.D.) Wellivitiya, 2000]. It might have been used by monks for observing "Pohoya Karma" (Wikramagamage, 2004).
Kaludiyapokuna rock inscription
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Kaludiya Pokuna (Sinhala: මිහින්තලේ කළුදිය පොකුණ) is a site with a ruined Buddhist temple located on the west slope of the Mihintale Monastery in Anuradhapura District, Sri Lanka.
History
Kaludiyapokuna rock inscription
Period: 7-8th centuries A.D. Script: Transitional Brahmi Language: Old Sinhala
Content: An offering of gold Kalanda was made for the stone masons' craft by a person named Yuva. A person named Bodhi is also mentioned. The inscription is worn and can not be fully read.
Citation: The information board at the site by the Department of Archaeology and the Ministry of National Heritage and Cultural Affairs.
Content: An offering of gold Kalanda was made for the stone masons' craft by a person named Yuva. A person named Bodhi is also mentioned. The inscription is worn and can not be fully read.
Citation: The information board at the site by the Department of Archaeology and the Ministry of National Heritage and Cultural Affairs.
The pond and other ruins
Kaludiya Pokuna means the "Blackwater pond". The water of the pond that is found in this site has become dark colour due to the silhouette of the surrounding flora and rocks. The pond is about 200 ft. long 70 ft. wide and considered to be the largest specimen at Mihintale (Jayasuriya, 2016; Wikramagamage, 2004). Scholars believe that it is a work belonging to the 10th century A.D. (Jayasuriya, 2016).
Besides
the pond, the site comprises a Stupa, Chapter House, promenade,
residential cells, Padhanaghara, bathhouse and lavatories (Jayasuriya, 2016; Wellivitiya, 2000; Wikramagamage, 2004). The site was declared as an archaeological reserve in 1926.
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Attribution
2) Mihintale 033, Mihintale 044, and Mihintale 039 by G41rn8 are licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
References
1) Jayasuriya, E., 2016. A guide to the Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka. Central Cultural Fund. ISBN: 978-955-613-312-7. p.60.
2) Nicholas, C. W., 1963. Historical topography of ancient and medieval Ceylon. Journal of the Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, New Series (Vol VI). Special Number: Colombo. Royal Asiatic Society (Ceylon Branch). p.164.
3) Wellivitiya, T., 2000. Organic nature in Sri Lankan vernacular architecture. A dissertation submitted to the University of Moratuwa as a partial fulfillment of the requirement for the Degree of Master of Science in Architectura. pp.75-99.
4) Wikramagamage, C., 2004. Heritage of Rajarata: Major natural, cultural, and historic sites. Colombo. Central Bank of Sri Lanka. p.172.
2) Nicholas, C. W., 1963. Historical topography of ancient and medieval Ceylon. Journal of the Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, New Series (Vol VI). Special Number: Colombo. Royal Asiatic Society (Ceylon Branch). p.164.
3) Wellivitiya, T., 2000. Organic nature in Sri Lankan vernacular architecture. A dissertation submitted to the University of Moratuwa as a partial fulfillment of the requirement for the Degree of Master of Science in Architectura. pp.75-99.
4) Wikramagamage, C., 2004. Heritage of Rajarata: Major natural, cultural, and historic sites. Colombo. Central Bank of Sri Lanka. p.172.
Location Map
This page was last updated on 27 May 2023
