Parakrama Samudra
The vast reservoir called the Sea of Parakrama, a 12th century feat of engineering whose long bund still holds back a shimmering inland sea beside the ancient city.
Stretching along the western edge of Polonnaruwa's ancient city, Parakrama Samudra, literally the Sea of Parakrama, ranks among the most remarkable feats of hydraulic engineering achieved anywhere in the medieval world. Constructed in the 12th century under King Parakramabahu I, the reservoir was formed by damming the ancient Amban River and linking together several earlier tanks, most notably Topa Wewa, which had already existed since around 386 AD, alongside the Eramudu and Dumbutulu reservoirs, combining them into a single vast water system covering an estimated 2,500 hectares, making it the largest reservoir anywhere on the island at the time of its completion.
The reservoir exists as a direct response to Sri Lanka's punishing seasonal rainfall pattern, two monsoon seasons delivering heavy rain followed by long, punishing dry spells that threatened the kingdom's rice based agricultural economy. King Parakramabahu I is famously said to have declared that not even a drop of rainwater should be allowed to reach the ocean without first serving human need, a philosophy of water management the reservoir embodied at genuinely massive scale, its intricate network of sluices, bunds and canals directing water precisely where farmland needed it most. That solved water problem underpinned everything else Polonnaruwa achieved as Sri Lanka's second great capital, the agricultural surplus it generated funding the temples, palaces and military campaigns that defined Parakramabahu's celebrated reign.
Today, walking or cycling along the reservoir's bund offers one of the most peaceful experiences anywhere in Polonnaruwa, particularly at sunset when the water catches the day's last light, and several hotels near the tank's edge let visitors combine views of this ancient engineering marvel with easy access to the surrounding archaeological sites, the wealth embedded in Polonnaruwa's carved stupas and palaces becoming considerably easier to understand once you've seen the economic foundation that made it all possible.
At a glance
- Entry fee: Free
- Opening hours: Open all day
- Time needed: 30 to 45 minutes
- Best time: Sunset
Getting there
Along the western edge of Polonnaruwa town, beside the ancient city.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to visit Parakrama Samudra?
- Free.
- What are the opening hours at Parakrama Samudra?
- Open all day.
- How long should I spend at Parakrama Samudra?
- Plan for 30 to 45 minutes.
- When is the best time to visit Parakrama Samudra?
- Sunset.
- How do I get to Parakrama Samudra?
- Along the western edge of Polonnaruwa town, beside the ancient city.