Mediaeval Sinhalese Art c16.14

c16.14

Carved ‘moonstones’ (haṇḍa-kaḍa-pahana), semi-circular stone doorsteps like those so well known at Anurādhapura, are met with in some vihāras, as at Degaḷdoruva, Beligala, Aluṭnuvara, etc. In these there is considerable beauty and variety of design, but rarely such as to compete with the older examples at Anurādhapura. A mediæval specimen from the palace at Hanguṛanketa, is to be seen in the Colombo Museum. Carved friezes are sometimes found, as at Gaḍalādeṇiya, Gaṇēgoḍa and other important vihāras. On these are represented dwarfs, dancers and lions.