Mediaeval Sinhalese Art c38.10

c38.10

PLATE VII. ARCHITECTURE.
1. Laṅkātilaka. The most beautiful of the mediæval Kandyan buildings. Brick construction on a stone foundation upon bare rock. On the extreme left the rock surface is covered with the engraved gal-sannasa. Much of the brickwork has been left unplastered. At the main entrance should be noticed the stone balustrades (et-hondavel), and above, the large makara toraṇa arch. The hipped roof over the porch is typical; the number of roofs at different levels is a striking feature, but more unusual.
2. Roof of Dēvāle attached to Gaḍalādeṇiya Vihāra. Shows flat tiles on the hipped roof, which is terminated by an earthen finial.
3. Ambalama at Maṅgalagama. Timbered roof supported on stone monoliths. Flat tiles and earthen finials. See p. 116.
4. Interior of verandah of Danagirigala Vihāra. Timbered lean-to roof supported by monoliths. Mud wall with window on the left. Typical pekadaya capital between monolith and roof timbers. See p. 129.
5. Gaṅgārāma Vihāra, Kandy. Shows hipped roof with overhanging eaves, and lean-to verandah. Plastered bō-leaves can be made out upon the upper part of the roof. The vihāra is built on a stone foundation. On the right a part of the baṇa-maḍuva, or preaching hall, is visible. See p. 118.
6. Part of a cottage, showing designs painted on whitewashed wall. The right hand design of two entwined serpents is known as nāga-dangaya. On the roof are semi-cylindrical tiles; in Kandyan times such a house would have been thatched. In front of the house various seeds and grains are spread out to dry. Near Balaṅgoḍa.
7. Detached Vihāra at Alutnuvara Dēvāle near Balaṅgoḍa. Shows typical constructional features of a vihāra supported on short monoliths. See pp. 117, 118.
8. Door of Devanagala Vihāra, Sab.
9. Bissa, or outdoor granary, made of plastered cane basketwork, whitewashed and decorated. Access to interior only by raising the thatched lid. See p. 116.