Introduction
Ranmasu Uyana is situated north to the Isurumuniya. You can reach the park over
the bund of Tissaweva and through a small path which falls to the Isurumuniya car
park area
History
Even before Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka in the mid 3rd century BC, parks
were a definite feature of city planning. Some of these parks were Mahamegha Park
established by king Mutasiva in the 3rd century BC, Nanadana Park and the Jothivana.
But with the arrival of the Great Mahinda Thero in 250 BC , all these parks were
donated to Sanga Community by King Devanam Piyathissa (250-210 BC).The originator
of this garden is lost in the history but Ranmasu Uyana was probably established
as a alternate to all the parks donated to the maha sanga.
It is believed that the Prince Saliya, the son of the great hero king Dutugemunu
(161-131 BC) met his future bride to be Asokamala who was of a lower cast of Chandala.
If this is true, this garden would probably been established right after the other
parks were donated.
Today this park covers an are of approx. 40 acres and is a fine example of Sri Lankan
garden architecture of the pre-Christian era. According to a inscription found in
Vessagiriya, the water to the park was supplied by Tessa wava and then released
to rice fields around Isurumuni Vihara.
The rocks scattered around the area were used by the architect to create this pleasure
garden. In one place two rock boulders have been connected each other with stone
slabs. Remains of a small building can be seen on these platforms.
Below the rocks there are three bathing ponds and some smaller ponds which probably
held the gold fish and water lilies. The largest is to the northern side with room
cut in to the stone. This room measures 7 feet x 6 feet. On the sides of the cave
like room are beautifully sculptured elephants bathing on a lotus pond.
On the southern side of the rocks another pond with two units. On the inner unit
there is a chamber built with slabs of rock. This probably was a changing chamber
for the royal family. Pranavitana also believed that this joined ponds made a shower
bath where the royals were sprayed from water jets.
Each of these ponds are designed with precision irrigation techniques so that the
water form tissa weva passed through all the ponds and tanks in the garden before
releasing them for irrigation work.
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