Yathuru Pokuna literary 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 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 are made of granite and the side walls of the pond are made of bricks. The pond gradually enlarges itself from the bottom to the top. It is believed that this pond has been built to supply the water needs of the priests of the Diyasen Paya Chapter House (Uposthagara) of the Jethawanaramaya Monastery.
The pond lies 170 meters southwest of the Salapathala Maluwa of the Stupa and 180 meters Northwest of the Diyasen Paya Chapter House (Uposthagara) of the Jethawanaramaya Monastery.
References
- Wikramagamage, C., 2004. Heritage of Rajarata: Major natural, cultural, and historic sites. Colombo. Central Bank of Sri Lanka. p.139
Also See
Map of Yathuru Pokuna I (Key Pond) of Jetavanaramaya
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Driving Directions to Yathuru Pokuna I (Key Pond) of Jetavanaramaya
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. From Kurunegala, there are two main routes to Anuradhapura. 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 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 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 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 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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