Bhu Wewa Biso Kotuwa in Polonnaruwa

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Hidden deep within farmlands of Polonnaruwa, which had been the ancient Bhu Wewa reservoir, lies a Biso Kotuwa, a sophisticated hydraulic marvel once used to regulate huge water bodies. Mysterious, compact, and expertly engineered, this forgotten structure reveals the ingenuity of Sri Lanka’s ancient water management system.

The Parakrama Samudraya was originally made up of five major reservoirs, each separated by smaller dams designed to reduce pressure on the main embankment. Numerous small feeder tanks were also constructed around the main system to supply these primary reservoirs and to absorb excess water during periods of heavy flow.

The five reservoirs that form the Parakrama Samudraya are Thopa Vewa, Eramudu Vewa (also known as Katu Vewa), Dumbuthulu Vewa, Kalahagala Vewa and Bhu Vewa.

During the restoration works of the Parakrama Samudraya in the late 19th century, water that should have flowed naturally into Thopa Vewa began diverting toward Bhu Vewa. To manage this, engineers built a temporary embankment to block the unintended flow. Over time, this temporary embarkment evolved into a permanent roadway, effectively separating Kalahagala Vewa and Bhu Vewa from the rest of the Parakrama Samudraya.

Kalahagala Wewa still exists as a separate reservoir separated by a narrow stretch of land from Parakarama Samudraya, but the Bhu Wewa has altogether disappeared. However, the ancient Biso Kotuwa of Bhu Wewa (the valve pit) has been conserved even without the reservoir.

To reach this Biso Kotuwa, travel along the embankment of the Parakrama Samudraya until you reach the roadway that isolates the Kalahagala Wewa. From there turn left, towards the embankment of the Kalahagala Wewa Reservoir. A notice board at this junction indicates 1.5 kilometers to the Bhu Wewa Biso Kotuwa.

The Bhu Wewa Biso Kotuwa is positioned along the north–south axis of the reservoir embankment. The structure measures approximately 1.2 meters by 1.45 meters, with a depth of about 2.06 meters.

The marker shown on the Google Map below indicates only an approximate location of the artifact. Use the directions provided above, and be prepared to ask a villager for assistance, as their guidance may be necessary to find this Biso Kotuwa.

References

Dissanayake, S. B. (2023). 2014 වර්ෂය සඳහා පුරාවිද්‍යා අධ්‍යක්‍ෂක ජනරාල්ගේ පාලන වාර්තාව. Department of Archaeology, Sri Lanka.

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Map of Bhu Wewa Biso Kotuwa in Polonnaruwa

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Driving Directions to Bhu Wewa Biso Kotuwa in Polonnaruwa

The modern town of Polonnaruwa is also known as New Town, and the other part of Polonnaruwa remains the ancient royal city of the Kingdom of Polonnaruwa.

Route from Colombo to Polonnaruwa Sacred City	Route from Kandy to Polonnaruwa Sacred City
Through: Central Highway—Kurunegala—Dambulla Distance from Colombo: 230 km Travel Time: 5 hours Driving Directions: See on Google Maps.	Through: Maradankadawala–Habarana Distance: 103 km Travel Time: 2 hours Driving Directions: see on Google Maps.
Route from Anuradhapura to Polonnaruwa Sacred City	Route from Batticaloa to Polonnaruwa Sacred City
Through: Maradankadawala–Habarana Distance: 103 km Travel Time: 2 hours Driving Directions: See on Google Maps.	Through: Maradankadawala–Habarana Distance: 103 km Travel Time : 2 hours Driving Directions: see on Google Maps.