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Yathuru Pokuna literary means the Key Pond in English. These ponds are called as such since they take a shape of a key. There are 2 Yathuru Pokunas’ in the Jethawanaramaya Monastery (Yathuru Pokuna I and Yathuru Pokuna II) complex, one in Abhayagiri Monastery and one in Maha Vihara Complex close to the Ruwanweliseya.
Out of the four ponds, Yathuru Pokuna number 1 at Jethawanaramaya and the Jethawanaramaya Monastery has the best resemblance to a key. The staircase down to the pond starts from the bit part of the key and takes a sharp right angle turn in the middle of the steps and the stairs continue along the shaft of the key. The circular pond at the end of the stairs represent the bow of the key. On the other 2 ponds, the stairs start at the shaft part of the key which takes you directly down to the pond with no bit part of the key.
The steps of the pond is made of granite and the side walls as well the pond is made of bricks. The pond gradually enlarges itself from the bottom to the top in 3 steps. It is believed that this pond has been built to supply the water needs of the priests of the Jethawanaramaya Monastery.
The pond lies 180 meters south of Salapathala Maluwa of the Stupa and hidden by trees on the path to the car park of Jethawanaramaya.
Also See
Map of Yathuru Pokuna (Key Pond) of Abhayagiriya Monastery
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Driving Directions to Yathuru Pokuna (Key Pond) of Abhayagiriya Monastery
Anuradhapura can be reached through many routes from Colombo. The two main routes are through Puttalam (Puttalama) and though Kurunegala. Traveling from Puttalam you will pass scenic Wilpattu area. the From Kurunegala there are two main routes to Anuradhapura. The most common route is through Dambulla. The other route is though Galgamuwa. Out of all the routes, the commonly used is the Kurunegala – Dambulla route (Route 2).
| Route 01 from Colombo to Anuradhapura | Route 02 from Colombo to Anuradhapura |
| Through : Negombo – Chillaw – Puttalam Distance from Colombo :213 km Travel time : 4.30- 5.00 hours Driving directions : see on google map | Through : Ambepussa – Kurunegala – Dambulla Distance from Colombo : 217 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 : Ambepussa – Kurunegala – Padeniya – Thambuthegama Distance from Colombo :210 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 hours Driving directions : see on google map |
