Mediaeval Sinhalese Art c10.s2.7

c10.s2.7

The preparations for the ceremony were elaborate. At about six p.m. the previous evening, a beginning was made with the recitation of Kosala-bimba-varṇanava†; at eight or nine the arrangement of the kalasthapanaya was begun; about three a.m. the offerings (pidenna) at the altars were made; and about five the eyes were painted. Outside the vihāra were erected eight altars (dibba-gē, lit., god’s houses) to Indra, Agni, Yama, Nairṛita, Varuṇa, Vaijavya, Uttara and Īsānaḥ*; alternating with these were eight others for the attendants of these gods. On each side of the door were prepared altars to the guardian dēvatāvō (dvārapāla), whose images (doraṭu-pala-rūpa) were carved at the base of the door jambs (often on ivory plaques, as at the Daḷadā Māligāva, Kandy); and on the threshold an altar to the guardian (kṣētrapāla) of the site. One altar, for the Kadgapala dēvatāva was prepared outside the vihāra, beyond the limits of the pansala grounds. A kalasthāpanaya was prepared, i.e., a collection of eighty pots (muṭṭi), in which were placed rice, coconuts, jaggery and money (a fanam in each); each pot was covered by a napkin. A kanya nāl (thread spun by a virgin) was drawn round, and the pots covered with a cloth of five colours.