Abhayavapi
| Abhaya Wewa අභය වැව | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | Anuradhapura |
| Coordinates | 08°21′07.9″N 080°23′17.4″E / 8.352194°N 80.388167°E |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Built | 400 BC[1][2] |
| Surface area | 1,235 acres (500 ha; 1.930 sq mi) |
| Water volume | 133×106 cu ft (3.8×106 m3)[2] |
Abhayavapi (Sinhalese: අභයවාපි) or commonly Abhaya Wewa (Sinhalese: අභය වැව) is a reservoir built by King Pandukabhaya who ruled in Anuradhapura from 437 BC to 367 BC, after constructing the city.[3] This is now popularly known as Basawakkulama (Sinhalese: බසවක්කුලම) tank which is not the original name.[2]
Size
Area is 1,235 acres (500 ha; 1.930 sq mi); length of the Waw Kandiya (Sinhalese: වැව් කන්ඩිය English: embankment) is 5,910 feet (1.119 mi) and height is 22 feet (6.7 m). Width of the top of the embankment is 6 feet (1.8 m) to 8 feet (2.4 m).[1][2]
Purpose
Built inside the ancient Anuradhapura, it supplied water to then city population.[1][2]
See also
- Anuradhapura Kingdom § Irrigation and water management
- Irrigation works in ancient Sri Lanka
- Basawakkulama inscription
References
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