Distance from Polonnaruwa – 3.2 km (7 minutes)

Introduction to Polonnaruwa Sandakada Pahana

Polonnaruwa Sandakada Pahana or Polonnaruwa moonstone is a unique feature of the Sinhala architecture in ancient Sri Lanka which is usually found at the bottom of staircases and entrances. Sandakada Pahana is a finely carved semi-circular stone slab and symbolises the cycle of Saṃsāra in Buddhism according to historians.

Features of Polonnaruwa Sandakada Pahana

The Polonnaruwa Sandakada Pahana features the elephant, lion and horse in separate bands as opposed to the Sandakada Pahana of the Anuradhapura period. The bull has been removed from the Sandakada Pahana of the Polonnaruwa period due to the strong influence of Hinduism during this era. The best example for the Sandakada Pahana of the Polonnaruwa can be found at the northern entrance of the Polonnaruwa Vatadage.

Getting to Sandakada Pahana of the Polonnaruwa Vatadage

From Polonnaruwa travel approximately 3.2 km along the Maradankadawala-Habarana-Thirukkondaiadimadu Highway to reach the Polonnaruwa Vatadage where you can find the best specimen of the Sandakada Pahana of the Polonnaruwa period.

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