Tissa Wewa Reservoir in Anuradhapura (අනුරාධපුර තිසා වැව)

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Tissa Wewa is an ancient irrigation reservoir that was built by King Devanampiya Tissa (250-210 BCE). However, Parker (1909, p. 363) also believes that this could be the Jaya-Vapi built by King Pandukabhaya (437-367 BCE) mentioned in the Mahavamsa (ch. x.83).

Only Panda Wewa and Abhaya Wewa are considered to be older than Tissa Wewa. The embankment of Tissa Wewa is 11,000 feet long (3.35 km) and 25 feet (7.6 m) high. The width of the top of the reservoir was found to be 12 feet to 18 feet (3.7 to 5.6 m). The base of the embankment is 160 feet (48.8 m). Tissa Wewa covers an area of approximately 550 acres. (Parker, 1909, p. 365)

Mahawansa (ch. xxxiv.45) reports that King Bhatikabaya  (20 BC-9 AC) pumped water using a machine up to Ruwanweli Seya and sprayed water onto flowers which covered the full stupa.

Further, water from this reservoir was also used to fill the tanks of Ranmasu Uyana, the Royal water garden next to the Isurumuniya Viharaya.

Tissa Wewa receives water through the ancient canal of Jaya Ganga, an ancient canal originating at Kala Wewa. The excess water is released into the Malwathu Oya River.

Parker (1909, p. 365) notes that the embankment of the Tissa Wewa Reservoir appears to be in its original state, dating back about 1100 years. He describes it as being so well-constructed that, with minimal maintenance, it could last indefinitely. True to his observation, the reservoir’s embankment still stands strong today, continuing to supply water to Anuradhapura.

References

  1. Parker, H. (1909). Ancient Ceylon: An Account of the Aborigines and of Part of the Early Civilisation (1st ed.). Luzac & Co.
  2. Mahanama, Geiger, W., & Bode, M. H. (1912). The Mahavamsa or the Great Chronicle of Ceylon. Translated into English by Wilhelm Geiger. For the Pali Text Society by Henry Frowde.

Also See

Map of  the Anuradhapura Tissa Wewa

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Traveling to Anuradhapura Tissa Wewa Reservoir (up to Anuradhapura)

Colombo to Anuradhapura By Bus

Anuradhapura is easily reached by bus, train or private transport. Air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned buses start at the Colombo Fort Main Bus Station. There are luxury busses which start from various places in Colomb travelling past Anuradhapura, to Vavuniya and Jaffna. However, you need to search the web and book a seat. These luxury buses mostly travel at night reaching their final destination early in the morning.

Colombo to Anuradhapura By Train

5 daily trains are starting from Fort Railway Station to Anuradhapura. Generally, the first train leaves at 9.40 am and the last train at 8.30 pm. Travel time is 4-5 hours depending on the number of stops of the particular train.

Colombo to Anuradhapura By Car or Van

Anuradhapura can be reached through many routes from Colombo. The two main routes are through Puttalam (Puttalama) and through Kurunegala. Travelling from Puttalam, you will pass the scenic Wilpattu area. There are two main routes to Anuradhapura from Kurunegala. The most common route is through Dambulla. The other route is through Galgamuwa. Out of all the routes, the most commonly used is the Kurunegala-Dambulla route (Route 2).

Route 01 from Colombo to AnuradhapuraRoute 02 from Colombo to Anuradhapura
Through : Negombo – Chilaw – Puttalam
Distance from Colombo : 210 km
Travel time : 4.30- 5.00 hours
Driving Directions : see on Google map
Through : Katunayake Expressway – Central Expressway – Kurunegala – Dambulla
Distance from Colombo : 223 km
Travel Time : 4.30- 5.00 hours
Driving Directions : see on Google maps
Route 03 from Colombo to AnuradhapuraRoute from Kandy to Anuradhapura
Through : Katunayake Expressway – Narammala – Wariyapola – Padeniya – Thambuthegama
Distance from Colombo :203 km
Travel Time : 4.30- 5.00 hours
Driving Directions : see on Google map
Through : Katugastota – Matale – Dambulla
Distance from Colombo :136 km
Travel Time : 3.5 hours
Driving Directions : see on Google map

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