Indian Art: A History of Indian Art from the Earliest Times up to the Third Century A.D. c15.s2.t2.3

c15.s2.t2.3

There were three flower-offering platforms called puphadhāna or pushpagrahaṇi vedikā (Mahāvaṃsa, 33.22), on each of the four sides of the Stūpa and in a line with the central one was built the āyaka platform. The āyaka platforms were regarded as the most important features of the Stūpas and no trouble or expense was spared in making them as beautiful and attractive as possible. This is shown by the sculptured slabs and lintels most beautifully carved recovered from the actual remains of the āyaka platforms of the Nagarjunikonda Stūpas.