KAUDULLA RESERVOIR - MADIRIGIRIYA
Kaudulla tank is one of the largest tanks in Sri Lanka, which has an area about 24.5 square meters. It was constructed in the reign of King Mahasen who ruled in Anuradhapura kingdom from 276 to 303 AD. He constructed fifteen other reservoirs and two canals. The dam is 9.2 kilo meters in length and 15 meters in hieght. According to the chronicals both King Maha Wijayabahu and King Maha Parakramabahu respectively carried out rehabilitation work on the reservoir.
The main water source of the lake is Kaudulu Oya. Elahara-Kanthale Giant canal which begins at Elahara Anicut on Amban Ganga, which was built by King Wasabha, divided into two canals at Diyabeduma, one leads to Girithale tank and other leads to Minneriya tank. The excess water from Minneriya tank is released directly to the Kaudulla tank and excess water from Minneriya-Kanthale Giant canal is also release to Kaudulla tank.
The famous Kaudulla National Park surrounds the tank and this tank is one of the least visited among tourists because of the lack of knowledge of the tank. And also the tank is located somewhat far away from the main roads near it. Although it is a very nice, calm and attractive lake which tourists must visit.
There is much folklore and legend which relates to this lake. One of the traditional tales tells that after King Mahasens’s death there was a prolonged drought in the whole country and unfavourable seasons for cultivation produced famine and disease. Then the people of Minneriya asked their great leader who was said to have supernatural powers and made offerings to Mahasen Deviyo, begging for his protection.
Another story tells that King Mahasen had a sister named Bisobandara and she fell in love with a common man. Then the enraged king exiled her from the palace. Seven years after he was constructing the massive Minneriya tank, but was unable to complete it due to the bund breaching at the same place everytime that the work was nearing completion. Some of the Prophets of the palace told the king that there is an evil spirit who is in anger for not having recieve any sacrificial appeasement and this should be in the form of a human sacrifice, not a normal person but a prince. Then the king got to know about his sister having a baby prince. The king ordered his Chief Minister to bring the prince to do the sacrifice. But the chief minister brought a killed wild bore wrapped in clothes and did the sacrifice. When the opening ceremonies commenced, the king was grieved by the act he has done to appease the daemon. Then the chief minister told the truth and the king was very happy. He did forgive his sister and asked her to join them in the opening ceremony of his proud achievement. At the ceremony, the princess has told her brother that when she was exiled she built a lake larger than Minneriya, with the help of the villagers and showed the Kaudulla lake to the king.
However the constructing credits of the lake still goes to King Mahasen. The surroundings of the lake in the evenings are very beautiful and there is a large variety of wild animals and birds around the lake.
Youtube video on Kaudulla lake - https://youtu.be/PKGiPPfIhpk
Article written by Ashain Sudeepa
Posted by Ashain Sudeepa(Admin)
The main water source of the lake is Kaudulu Oya. Elahara-Kanthale Giant canal which begins at Elahara Anicut on Amban Ganga, which was built by King Wasabha, divided into two canals at Diyabeduma, one leads to Girithale tank and other leads to Minneriya tank. The excess water from Minneriya tank is released directly to the Kaudulla tank and excess water from Minneriya-Kanthale Giant canal is also release to Kaudulla tank.
The famous Kaudulla National Park surrounds the tank and this tank is one of the least visited among tourists because of the lack of knowledge of the tank. And also the tank is located somewhat far away from the main roads near it. Although it is a very nice, calm and attractive lake which tourists must visit.
There is much folklore and legend which relates to this lake. One of the traditional tales tells that after King Mahasens’s death there was a prolonged drought in the whole country and unfavourable seasons for cultivation produced famine and disease. Then the people of Minneriya asked their great leader who was said to have supernatural powers and made offerings to Mahasen Deviyo, begging for his protection.
Another story tells that King Mahasen had a sister named Bisobandara and she fell in love with a common man. Then the enraged king exiled her from the palace. Seven years after he was constructing the massive Minneriya tank, but was unable to complete it due to the bund breaching at the same place everytime that the work was nearing completion. Some of the Prophets of the palace told the king that there is an evil spirit who is in anger for not having recieve any sacrificial appeasement and this should be in the form of a human sacrifice, not a normal person but a prince. Then the king got to know about his sister having a baby prince. The king ordered his Chief Minister to bring the prince to do the sacrifice. But the chief minister brought a killed wild bore wrapped in clothes and did the sacrifice. When the opening ceremonies commenced, the king was grieved by the act he has done to appease the daemon. Then the chief minister told the truth and the king was very happy. He did forgive his sister and asked her to join them in the opening ceremony of his proud achievement. At the ceremony, the princess has told her brother that when she was exiled she built a lake larger than Minneriya, with the help of the villagers and showed the Kaudulla lake to the king.
However the constructing credits of the lake still goes to King Mahasen. The surroundings of the lake in the evenings are very beautiful and there is a large variety of wild animals and birds around the lake.
Youtube video on Kaudulla lake - https://youtu.be/PKGiPPfIhpk
Article written by Ashain Sudeepa
Posted by Ashain Sudeepa(Admin)
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