Sandakadapahana

The Sadakadapahana of the Queen's Palace in Anuradhapura

Sandakadapahana is also known as Ardha Chandra Pashan, Ada Sandapahana, Sandakadagala, Gal Dora Padiya, Chandrakantha Pashan etc. A flat stone slab with a semicircular shape, considered to be half of a moon, has become a valuable carving due to the skill of craftsmen. The word Sandakadapahana was first used in the thirteenth century work Saddharma Ratnavali. Although ideas about Sandakadapahana have been presented in two Sinhala literary works written before that, it is known by a different name. In the early stages, Sandakadapahana was used as a rug at the foot of the steps of buildings. It is artistically carved. Some such stone slabs can still be seen between the ruins of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa. The ancient stone slab beside the entrance door at the entrance to the Dalada Maligawa in Polonnaruwa still commemorates that function today.

The sandakadapahana at the north gate of the Polonnaruwa Vatadage

The Wheel of Life

Currently, the moonstone can be seen in front of the entrance to a Buddhist sacred place. The moonstone, made on a flat stone base, is divided into five circular columns. In order, a flame, a row of animals, a scroll, a swan and a lotus are carved on it. The animals elephant, horse, cow and lion are carved one after the other. Professor Senarath Paranavithana Soorin believes that the moonstone represents the wheel of life. Each column is described as follows.

From the flame of fire - lust

From the animal row - four fears

From the vine - greed

From the swan row - realization of truth

From the lotus flower - nirvana

A little height

It has also been commented that the animal row shows the four directions, four omens, and four fears. The swans, each carrying a lotus bud in its mouth, follow one another as if searching for truth. They have been carved according to the little height technique. The swan is a symbol of purity. The swan is an animal that can separate liquid from milk and is also the vehicle of the goddess Saraswati. Even though it grows in mud, the lotus flower blooms when it is soaked in water, indicating purity. The lotus is also a seat for the Buddha. Therefore, the lotus seat is common to both the Buddha and the yogis.

The best moonstones

The best moonstones completed during the Anuradhapura period are considered to be the ones in front of the Queen's Palace. Due to Hindu influence, the cow was removed from the moonstones during the Polonnaruwa period. The best moonstones from the Polonnaruwa period are considered to be the ones on the north gate of the temple complex in Polonnaruwa. The moonstones of the Kandy period were completely different in shape and form. They were decorated with intricate designs such as wheat fields. The moonstones of the Temple of the Tooth are an example of this.