Sri Lanka: Guardian stone or moonstone (Sandakada Pahana) at Mahasen's Palace, Anuradhapura

Sandakada pahana is an elaborately carved semi-circular stone slab, usually placed at the bottom of staircases and entrances and is a unique feature of the Sinhalese architecture of ancient Sri Lanka. It symbolises the cycle of Saṃsāra in Buddhism.

Anuradhapura is one of Sri Lanka's ancient capitals and famous for its well-preserved ruins. From the 4th century BC until the beginning of the 11th century AD it was the capital. During this period it remained one of the most stable and durable centers of political power and urban life in South Asia. The ancient city, considered sacred to the Buddhist world, is today surrounded by monasteries covering an area of over sixteen square miles (40 km²).

Copyright:

CPA Media Co. Ltd.

Photographer:

David Henley

Credit:

Pictures From Asia

Theme:

CULTURAL TRIANGLE