Yathuru Pokuna (Key Pond) of Abhayagiriya Monastery (අභයගිරිය යතුරු පොකුණ)

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Yathuru Pokuna (Key Pond) of Abhayagiriya Monastery - අභයගිරිය යතුරු පොකුණ — Yathuru Pokuna (Key Pond) of Abhayagiriya Monastery – අභයගිරිය යතුරු පොකුණ

Yathuru Pokuna literally means the Key Pond in English. These ponds are called as such since they take the 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 the 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 represents 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 as the pond are 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 is hidden by trees on the path to the car park of Jethawanaramaya.

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

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Driving Directions to Yathuru Pokuna (Key Pond) of Abhayagiriya Monastery

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

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