Lotus Pond (Ancient Nelum Pokuna)
A small, perfectly formed bathing pool carved as an eight-petalled lotus in descending tiers, a delicate gem among the northern monastery ruins.
North of Polonnaruwa's ancient city, within the grounds of the historic Jetavanarama monastery, a circular stepped pond carved entirely from finely cut granite takes the unmistakable shape of a full blown lotus flower, its stone petals forming concentric tiers that gradually narrow as they descend toward the water below. Referenced in ancient chronicles under the name Paduma-nahana-kotthaka, the pond was one of eight stone bathing pools the Mahavamsa records King Parakramabahu I as having built specifically, in the chronicle's own words, to cleanse the outward impurity of the monks residing within the monastery.
Of those original eight ponds, only four are named directly in the chronicles, alongside Nelum Pokuna itself, Vatta-nahan-kottha, Guha-nahana-kottha and Bhadda-nahana-kottha, and archaeologists have since identified ruins of several similarly structured ponds scattered throughout the wider Jetavanarama monastery grounds, evidence of just how extensive this stone bathing infrastructure originally was. The pond's precision stonework remains its most genuinely striking feature, each tier cut with a level of geometric care that turns a purely functional bathing facility into something closer to sculptural art, the whole structure once surrounded by the lush gardens and flowering plants that gave the wider monastic complex its tranquil, contemplative character.
Located close to the Royal Palace and easily combined with a visit to the nearby Thivanka and Lankatilaka image houses, Nelum Pokuna offers travelers a quieter, more intimate stop within Polonnaruwa's broader archaeological landscape, a reminder that even the most utilitarian structures of the ancient city, a simple monastic bathing pool, were built with genuine artistic ambition.
At a glance
- Entry fee: Covered by the Polonnaruwa ancient city ticket, around USD 25
- Opening hours: 7:00am to 6:00pm
- Time needed: 15 to 20 minutes
- Best time: Daytime
Getting there
In the northern group of the ancient city, near the Thivanka image house.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to visit Lotus Pond (Ancient Nelum Pokuna)?
- Covered by the Polonnaruwa ancient city ticket, around USD 25.
- What are the opening hours at Lotus Pond (Ancient Nelum Pokuna)?
- 7:00am to 6:00pm.
- How long should I spend at Lotus Pond (Ancient Nelum Pokuna)?
- Plan for 15 to 20 minutes.
- When is the best time to visit Lotus Pond (Ancient Nelum Pokuna)?
- Daytime.
- How do I get to Lotus Pond (Ancient Nelum Pokuna)?
- In the northern group of the ancient city, near the Thivanka image house.