And now I propose to your attention a bit of arithmetic, to imagine the enormous work and labor-intensiveness in the construction of the swimming pool.

Pool has the following dimensions: length – 27.7 m; width — 20.72 m; Height granite rock over the water in the corner which is closest to the top of the pyramid is not less than 3 m, from the opposite diagonal – 0 m, so the calculations take average 1.5 m.

Depth of the pool is approximately 2 m, I could not to do more precisely measure, therefore, accept this value.

So, the volume of granite, removed during the carving of a pool = 27.7 x 20.72 x 3.5 = 2,009 m^3.

The density of granite is 2600 kg/m^3.

So, total weight of granite, removed during construction of the pool = 2009 x 2600 = 5,223.4 tons!

An interesting observation #1: manufacturing process of large granite formations removing involves: firstly – drilling a deep holes along the estimated line of granite splitting and then (ancient version) – hammering in there wooden wedges, which swelling when pooling water on them and thus breaking away the granite layer, or (according to the modern method) placing an explosive in a drilled cavity and breaking the stone layer by its detonation. In both methods characteristic traces remain on the surface of the cutting granite, which in this case I did not notice at all. Version with circular saw is not suitable, because the surface of the granite rock looks like "moderate natural." In addition, the drainage system is still working. It has been raining that day; the pool was full of water, but not crowded.

An interesting observation #2: Pay attention to the places indicated by arrows.

There is a staircase at the far end of the pool (towards the center of the pyramid) carved in the granite rock and leading up from the water to the carved in the rock small platform, from which there is no exit. A second stairway leads to the right (along the smaller side of the pool) on the same platform with no exit located exactly at the same level. If you look carefully, you can see that floor of these platforms located exactly on the same level as the top edge of the fence surrounding the pool.



There is the only logical explanation – these stairs with space-closed platforms were intended solely for the following: while swimming in the pool, you could quickly climb to the level above the fence and see – what is happening outside there and is there happened something very important, worth enough to run from the water as to be bitten in an ass? I don't see any other explanation. But where shall you to look in that direction? Down? There is nothing interesting, just the jungle, the same as in all directions.



It is very interesting, that a coverage area from those platforms allows you to see the sky above the horizon from East over the ancient Polonnaruwa city (28 km as the crow flies, may be interesting for us because of ancient temple with polygonal masonry of megalithic blocks on the principle of processing all megaliths, i.e. cutting granite on the place like a knife through butter) to the South , in the direction of Adam's peak (Sri Pada mountain, 130 km as the crow flies).



Speaking of Adam's Peak , there is a feeling of strong, stable relationship of this sacred place with the Sigiriya, the heart of Sri Lanka. In amazing way this mysterious place became the object of worship of all represented here four religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam and Christianity . With some exaggeration it may be called the one of the most venerated sites in the world. The prominent rock at the top of this mountain has the sacred footprint. Hinduists believe that the footprint has been left by the dancing Supreme God Shiva during the creation of the world and called the mountain Shrivan adipate (the cosmic dance of Shiva ).



Buddhists believe that the footprint belongs to Gautama Buddha , and Hindus have almost nothing to be said against it, because they believe in the Buddha as an incarnation ( avatar ) of the God Vishnu . In Islam, it is considered that Adam set foot on Earth exactly on this place after the expulsion from Eden. By the way, Muslims very revered Adam , considering him to be the representative of the God on Earth, the first of his Prophet and the creator of sacred stone of the Kaaba in Mecca.



An interesting detail: thousands and thousands of butterflies are gathering on this mountain every year, in the last hours of theirs life, to die on the slopes of the Adam's Peak. They say this is very beautiful show. Because of this, the Sinhala name of the mountain is Samanalakanda , which refers to the butterflies ( samanalayā ).