NO. 47. — 1896.] ANCIENT CITIES AND TEMPLES. 141 



was ruthlessly destroyed by the owner of the adjoining 

 land, in order to prevent people from searching for the 

 treasure always believed to be concealed in such places, and 

 thereby invoking the displeasure of the gods ! 



According to the Mahdivansa* King Wijaya Bahu L, who 

 reigned 1059-1065 A.D., repaired the tank "Pandavapi," 

 amongst others, of which the bund had been destroyed, out 

 of his great desire for the welfare of the poor ; and he made 

 repairs to the vihare " Pandavapi " amongst others. 



A short inscription on a stone post at the back of the 

 Meda-horrowwa, cut by the prosperous Parakrama, seems to 

 indicate that the tank was in order during the time of that 

 king from 1153 to 1156 A.D. 



The Mahdwansa says : — 



The tank Pandavapi, which was aforetime of very small size, he 

 (Parakrama Bahu I., surnamed theGreat) rebuilt with embankments, 

 greatly enlarged in height and length and breadth, and with sluices to 

 convey a body of water of great and exceeding height, and gave to it 

 the name of the " Sea of Parakkama." 



In the islet in the middle of the tank he built a cetiya (dagoba) 

 on the top of a rock, like unto the top of Mount Kelasa in beauty, and 

 in the centre thereof he built a royal palace of surpassing beauty — 

 three stories high. A palace fit (to draw unto it) the multitude of 

 joys in the world.f 



According to tradition the tank burst after the time of 

 King Parakrama Bahu, and it remained in a ruined state till 

 nearly the end of the last century, when Talgaha-goda Disawa 

 and another repaired it. For a few years the tank continued 

 in good order, but the upkeep of the bund was neglected, and 

 a deep track was worn through it by cattle and people 

 fetching water. 



In 1805, owing to a flood which raised the water till it 

 flowed over the embankment, which was a little over three 

 feet above spill level, the bund burst over-night, creating the 

 present Kolamuna-oya. 



* Mahdwansa, LX., pp. 110-111. 

 f Mahdwansa, LXVIIL, 39-42. 



