Parakrama Samudra

Parakrama Samudra

Parakrama Samudra is situated in Polonnaruwa Sri Lanka. It was built by King Parakramabahu the great and what can be seen now is only a part of the original creation. The king gave this as a solution to people for their problems during the droughts and the lack of water in dry seasons.

About the destination

Parakrama Samudra originally consisted of five large reservoirs and it consisted of Kalahagala Wewa, Thopa Wewa, Bhu Wawa, Eramadu Wewa, and Dumbuthulu Wewa. But somehow in the 19^th century, the water that was meant to flow to Thopa Wewa ended up flowing into Bhu Wewa due to some construction error.

History of the Parakrama Samudra

Parakrama Samudra was way more huge than it is today. When the confusion between the Thopa Wawa and Bhu Wawa took place the engineers built a temporary dam in a rush as a solution to the problem. This sadly became the permanent road which isolated the first three reservoirs into smaller versions and separated Bhu Wawa and Thopa Wawa. As a result the reconstructions further reduced the size of the Parakrama Samudra compared to what it was first planned.

Reaching the destination

From Colombo

Head west on McCallum Road. Continue straight onto Colombo – Katunayake Expressway. Then you have to turn left onto Dambulla – Bakamuna – Kalugahawela Road, Kandalama Road. Continue onto Kalahagala Road and drive to your destination.

From Polonnaruwa

Head northwest on Maradankadawala-Habarana-Thirukkondaiadimadu Highway. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto New Town Road. Slight right at Buddha Statue (Kalahagala Junction) onto Kalahagala Road and drive to your destination.