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Royal baths are private pond-like structures of ancient palaces commonly seen in South Asian Kingdoms. Kumara Pokuna meaning prince’s pond is one of a royal baths located in Polonnaruwa near Parakaramabahu’s palace and the audience hall and below the level of castle allowing water to flow easily from a nearby canal which is connected to the Parakrama Samudraya. A long and narrow flight of stone steps from the eastern side of Parakramabahu’s castle wall will lead you down to the area where the pond is constructed.
Construction of this royal bath was done during the period of King Parakuramabahu the Great and named as "Sila Pokkharani". This has been clearly stated in ancient texts Mahavamsa and Culavamsa.
The square shaped pond has several layers of stone slabs decorated with friezes of lions that give a charming royal look. There are two dragon mouth shaped sprouts located either sides of the entrance to bring water into the royal bath. Quadrangle shape lotus structure can be seen in the middle of the pond. There are outlets to drain off the used water. The pavilion near the pond has been used as a changing room.
Lotus is an historic architecture which is a flawlessly constructed bath of Polonnaruwa Kingdom by King Parakramabahu the Great. This frigid bath found near King Parakramabahu’s palace is mostly known by the name Nelum Pokuna.
Lotus pond is a modest dimension of baths with eight layers designed like lotus petals in a descending order. It is made using fine cut granite and the top fully bloomed lotus petal layer has a diameter of 24 feet 9 inches and the bottom inner layer has a diameter of 5 feet 4 inches.
Nelum Pokuna lies in a garden with gorgeous flowering plants gives an overwhelming and pleasant feeling. Moreover, this is excellent evidence to praise the ancient architecture of Sri Lanka.
Namal Pokuna Temple is an interesting temple hidden into the forest of Dimbulagala that gives the pleasure of visiting and exploring unspotted historic monuments.
This temple is situated on the same road leading to the famous Dimbulagala Raja Maha Viharaya in Polonnaruwa district of Sri Lanka. This place seems to be rarely visited even though both Viharayas are situated on the same mountain range.
A large granite parapet is seen at the entrance of this historically valuable complex. Namal Pokuna Temple ruins contains a stupa, an image house with buddha statues in which one is found on the ground without head and feet and another one standing with only knees and pedestals, a bo tree shrine, ponds and unrecognized buildings.
Caves here have been used by monks and priests to meditate and ponds are now covered by jungle. The path through the jungle leads to the Ancient Akasa Chaithiya on the top of Dimbulagala mountain range.
Pleasure of walking and mild climbing can be experienced while visiting this site.
The Stupa is built upon a two metres high platform with three entrances and only a portion of the dome has lasted. The large image house comprises a large platform with a single entrance facing north and the ruins along with the Bo-tree shrine and the unidentified building remain in a good state of conservation. This site represents the architectural features of the Anurathapura era.