Parakrama Samudra, Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka

Parakrama Samudra, Polonnaruwa (29 August, 2005)


The Parakrama Samudra is a huge manmade irrigation tank that would rival the barays of ancient Angkor. Since the cities of ancient Lanka are in the arid northern plains where rain is limited and irregular, holding on to vast reserves of water becomes a necessity. The Parakrama Samudra was built by the great Parakramabahu I, grand monarch of Polonnaruwa, who declared, "Not even a drop of water from the rain must flow into the ocean without being made useful to mankind."

To put his words into action, he build the 2430 hectare (6000 acre) irrigation reservoir. The construction of irrigation reservoirs in Polonnaruwa is not something new. Ancient chronicles recorded that irrigation reservoirs were constructed even earlier, in Anuradhapura, around the 4th century AD. Around the same time King Mahasena constructed the Minneriya reservoir not far from Polonnaruwa.

The huge expanse of Parakrama Samudra (29 August, 2005)


Other reservoirs around Polonnaruwa include Giritale, Kaudulla and Topavava were constructed by the kings of Anuradhapura. The Topavava, along with two other reservoirs, were combined by Parakramabahu I, to create the greatest of them all, the Parakrama Samudra, which means, Parakrama's Sea.

The development of irrigation works help uplift Polonnaruwa as a city. From the 7th century, it became the country residence of the royalty of Anuradhapura. Due to its strategic position, Polonnaruwa gradually became as important as Anuradhapura, which is older by a thousand years.

Sri Lankan fishermen in their outrigger canoe on the Parakrama Samudra (29 August, 2005)


I visited the Parakrama Samudra when I explored Polonnaruwa with a group of AsiaExplorers members. We had our lunch at the government resthouse beside the reservoir before starting our exploration of the ancient ruins. This resthouse, called the Polonnaruwa Rest House, hosted Queen Elizabeth II in 1954 during Her Majesty's first visit outside the British Isles after ascending the throne.

From the Parakrama Samudra, we were able to enjoy a panoramic view of the reservoir, where we saw fishermen in their rowboats and women doing their laundry. The view itself was a fascinating snapshot of a day in the life of Sri Lanka.

Polonnaruwa Resthouse, on the bank of the Parakrama Samudra (29 August, 2005)


Lakeview of Parakrama Samudra from the Polonnaruwa Rest House (29 August, 2005)

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