Parakrama Samudraya (Sea of Parakrama)

This vast water reservoir was built by King Parakramabahu the Great (11531186 CE), and today what you see as the Parakrama Samudraya is only four portion of his original creation.

Parakrama Samudraya _ originally consisted of five large reserves Separated by smaller dams to reduce the pressure on the main Dam. Man Smaller tanks has been built around the main tank to feed these primary tanks and to take in excess water. (the main five reservoirs, which consist of the Parakrama Samudraya, are

1. Thopa Wewa

2. Eramudu Wewa (Katu Wewa)

3. Dumbuthulu Wewa

4. Kalahagala Wewa

5. Bhu Wewa

During the reconstruction of the Parakrama Samudraya in the latter half of the 19th Century, the water which was supposed to flow to the Thopa Wewa has started flowing to the Bhu Wewa. To control these, engineers constructed a temporary dam to block the water flowing to the Bhu Wewa. This temporary Dam became a permanent road, and this road isolated Kalahagala Wewa and Bhu Wewa from the Parakrama Samudraya.

The new reconstruction process has ignored most of the ancient technology in which this tank was built to reduce the tank's capacity further. Today, the Dam of Parakrama Samudraya is 8 4 miles (14 kilometres) in length and 40 feet (12.2 metres) in height. The body of water covers 5350 acres with an average depth of 25 feet. Over 18000 acres of paddy land is supported by this reservoir. On one edge of the reservoir is the Polonnaruwa Rest House, managed by Hotels Corporation. Along the Dam, there are few star class hotels closer to the Pothgul Vehera.

After travelling to the very end of the Dam (all 8 % miles) and further along the canal which feeds the Parakrama Samudraya, you come to a place called "Angammedilla". This is the place where the Amban Ganga (river) is diverted towards the Parakrama Samudraya. After walking about 500 meters into the jungle, you can come to a still unspoilt camping/bathing site. Due to the distance from the main city, this location is still untouched and is a great place to spend the day. This area is elephant country, and you can see the dung of wild elephants as you walk along the path to the river. A little scary if you try it when it is dark.

Update: This location is inside the Angammedilla National Park border, and the entry is now restricted.

(Heritage Lanka by Neil Kiriella 2017, P:216)

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Parakrama Samudraya (The Sea of Parakrama)

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