Ranmasu Uyana (Royal Goldfish Park)

RATE THIS LOCATION : 1 Star

(10 votes, average: 3.60 out of 5)

Ranmasu Uyana, the “Royal Goldfish Park,” is a 40-acre ancient pleasure garden in Anuradhapura. Famous for its sophisticated hydraulic systems and rock-cut bathing pools, it also houses the mysterious “Star Gate” carving. This tranquil site, where legends say Prince Saliya met Asokamala, perfectly blends history with nature.

Even before Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka in the mid-3rd century BCE, landscaped parks were an integral part of city planning. Among these were Mahamegha Park, established by King Mutasiva (367-307 BCE), Nanadana Park, and Jothivana. When Arahat Mahinda Thero arrived in 307 BCE, these parks were donated to the Sangha community by King Devanampiyatissa (307-267 BCE). The origins of Ranmasu Uyana are lost to history, but it is believed to have been created as an alternative royal garden after these earlier parks were gifted to the monastic order (Seneviratna, 1994).

The Vessagiriya inscription of King Mahinda IV (956–972 CE) refers to the park as Ranmasu Uyana, meaning the Royal Goldfish Park. It records that water from Tissa Wewa, released through the royal sluice, was first directed to Ranmasu Uyana, then to the Kelageya (plantain arbor), the Uyanteya (park ponds), and the Mahanel-teya (water lily ponds), before finally irrigating the rice fields around Isurumuniya Viharaya (Seneviratna, 1994).

Legends and Royal Romance

According to tradition, Prince Saliya, son of the great King Dutugemunu (161-137 BCE), met his beloved Asokamala—a maiden of the Chandala caste—within this garden. If true, the tale suggests that Ranmasu Uyana was established soon after the other parks were donated to the Sangha in the 3rd century BCE. However, no definitive record identifies its builder. Today, the park spans approximately 40 acres and remains a fine example of pre-Christian Sri Lankan garden architecture.

Architectural Features

The garden’s design harmoniously integrates natural rock formations into its layout. In some places, massive boulders are connected by stone slabs, forming platforms that once supported small buildings. Below these rocks lie three large bathing ponds and several smaller ones, considered among the best-preserved artistic ruins in Anuradhapura (Weerasooriya, 1939). The smaller ponds likely held ornamental goldfish and water lilies. The largest pond, located to the north, measures about 34 feet by 29 feet (10.3 by 8.8 meters). On its western side is a stone chamber resembling a cave, measuring 7 feet by 6 feet (2.1 by 1.8 meters). The walls of this chamber are adorned with exquisite carvings of elephants bathing in a lotus pond.

To the south lies another pond with two interconnected units, one containing a chamber built of stone slabs, possibly used as a changing room for the royal family. Archaeologist Paranavitana suggested that these linked ponds may have functioned as a shower bath, where water jets sprayed the royals (Seneviratna, 1994).

Ancient Petroglyphs and Mysteries

At the southern end of the boulders are traces of an ancient building and several shallow caves with drip ledges. On a steep rock face near the bund is a remarkable petroglyph, believed to be pre-Buddhist and approximately 5,000 years old. The carving depicts a chakra or circle, with an inner circle divided into four quadrants by intersecting lines, and several concentric circles at the center. This enigmatic design has drawn comparisons to symbols found in ancient Macedonia and has fueled speculation about its meaning—some even claim it represents a stargate, a theory that has attracted global attention and media coverage (Weerasooriya, 1939).

Sakwala Chakraya or the STARGATE of Ranmasu Uyana, Sri Lanka

Location and Access

Ranmasu Uyana lies just north of Isurumuniya Viharaya. Visitors can reach the park by crossing the bund of Tissa Wewa and following a small path leading from the Isurumuniya car park.

Important Information for Foreign Tourists Visiting Sites at Sacred City of Anuradhapura

Most of the more popular sites in Anuradhapura strictly check for tickets from tourists, while the less-visited sites tend to be more relaxed due to the lack of staff. However, tourists should be cautious, as some unscrupulous tuk-tuk drivers may attempt to exploit this situation.

They sometimes offer to take foreign tourists along routes where ticket checks are less common or even try to collect the entrance fee themselves, claiming they will purchase the tickets on the tourists’ behalf. Tourists are strongly advised not to fall for such scams, as this can lead to unnecessary complications with site security or the police.

Information on the Anuradhapura Cultural Heritage Ticket and where and how to purchase can be found here

Royal Gold Fish Park - The Northern Pond - Carvings of the bathing elephants on the right side of the rock

The northern bathing pond. The rock chamber is in the far end.

Royal Gold Fish Park - The Northern Pond - Carvings of the bathing elephants on the left side of the rock

Royal Gold Fish Park - The Northern Pond seen from the top of the rock

Royal Gold Fish Park - The southern pond with two units

Royal Gold Fish Park - The changing room at the rock end.

References

Seneviratna, A., 1994. Ancient Anuradhapura. 1st ed. Colombo: Archaeological Survey Department, Sri Lanka, pp294-208.
H.E. Weerasooriya, 1939. Historical guide to Anuradhapura’s ruins. Colombo: W.E. Bastian, 30-31.
Devendra, D.T., 1952. Guide to Anuradhapura. 2nd ed. Colombo: [Govt. Press], pp 38-40.
මැන්දිස්, ත., 2016. අනුරාධපුර උරුමය නරඹමු. කොළඹ 7, ශ්‍රී ලංකාව: මද්‍යම සංස්කෘතික අරමුදල, pp.27-32.

Also See

Anuradhapura – The city of the God Kings
Solosmasthana – The Sixteen Buddhist Sacred Sites Hallowed by Buddha
Atamasthana – The Eight Sacred Sites in Anuradhapura

Sakwala Chakraya or the Stargate of Ranmasu Uyana

Map of Royal Goldfish Park (Ranmasu Uyana)

Click on the button below to load the Dynamic Google Map

Show Location on Google Maps

The map above also shows other places of interest within a approximately 20 km radius of the current site. Click on any of the markers and the info box to take you to information of these sites

Zoom out the map to see more surrounding locations using the mouse scroll wheel or map controls.

Driving Directions to Anuradhapura Royal Goldfish Park (Ranmasu Uyana)

Colombo to Anuradhapura By Bus

Anuradhapura can be conveniently reached by bus, train, or private transport. Both air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned buses operate from the Colombo Fort Main Bus Station. In addition, luxury buses departing from various locations in Colombo travel via Anuradhapura to Vavuniya and Jaffna; these require advance online booking and generally operate overnight, arriving at their final destinations early in the morning.

Colombo to Anuradhapura By Train

Five daily trains operate from Colombo Fort Railway Station to Anuradhapura. Typically, the first train departs at 9.40 a.m. and the last at 8.30 p.m. The journey takes approximately four to five hours, depending on the number of stops made by the particular service.

Colombo to Anuradhapura By Car or Van

Anuradhapura can be accessed from Colombo via several routes, with the two primary corridors running through Puttalam and Kurunegala. The Puttalam route passes the scenic Wilpattu area. From Kurunegala, there are two main approaches: the more commonly used route via Dambulla and an alternative route via Galgamuwa. Among all options, the Kurunegala–Dambulla route (Route 2) is the most frequently used.

Route 01 from Colombo to Anuradhapura	Route 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 Maps	Through: Negombo – Chilaw – Puttalam Distance from Colombo: 210 km Travel time: 4.30-5.00 hours Driving Directions: see on Google Maps.
Route 03 from Colombo to Anuradhapura	Route 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 Maps	Through: Katugastota – Matale – Dambulla Distance from Colombo: 136 km Travel Time: 3.5 hours Driving Directions: see on Google Maps