Sandakada Pahana, also known as Moonstone, is a unique feature of the architecture of ancient Sri Lanka.[1][2][3] It is an elaborately carved semi-circular stone slab, usually placed at the bottom of staircases and entrances. First seen in the latter stage of the Anuradhapura period, the sandakada pahana evolved through the Polonnaruwa, Gampola and Kandyan period. According to historians, the sandakada pahana symbolises the cycle of Samsāra in Buddhism.
Known in Sinhalese as sandakada pahana, it is roughly translated into English as moonstone. The name is based on its shape and design.[2] The ancient chronicle Mahavamsa and Pali chronicle such as the Samantapasadika refer to the sandakada pahana as patika.[4]
- ^ Cave, Henry William (1908). "The northern provinces - Henry Cave - Google Books". Retrieved 2 May 2012.
- ^ a b Gaveshaka (2 May 2004). "Tradition continues: Moonstones in Polonnaruwa". Sunday Times. Retrieved 9 August 2009.
- ^ Bandaranayake, S. D. (1974). Sinhalese Monastic Architecture: The Viharas of Anuradhapura - Senake Bandaranayake - Google Books. ISBN 9004039929. Retrieved 2 May 2012.
- ^ "Buddhist Art". The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon. Archived from the original on 4 May 2009. Retrieved 9 August 2009.