Moonstone or Sandakada pahana
Moonstone or Sandakada pahana
Moonstone or Sandakada pahana
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.0
114 reviews
Excellent
43
Very good
50
Average
18
Poor
3
Terrible
0
worldnomad_01
Los Angeles, CA1,597 contributions
Nov 2018
It is a half-circle shaped stone covered with eight lines of delicate animal and floral carvings. It seems to be a very popular architectural motif and you will find it in front of many old and new buildings, all over the island.
Written December 9, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
traveladviser43
Bournemouth, UK403 contributions
Jan 2017
The Moonstone
This rock carving at the entrance to an ancient ruin depicts the Buddhist belief in reincarnation. The outer ring is a procession of animals beginning and ending with the elephant representing rebirth, next comes the horse or the travel through life followed by the lion depicting old age and the decline in life. Finally comes the water buffalo representing death. This sequence is repeated three times with the final elephant showing yet another reincarnation. It is said that Buddha endured 550 incarnations before reaching Nirvana.
The next ring is a tangle of vines depicting the passage through life with all its entanglements, the next ring are all swans with there reputed ability to separate milk from a mixture of milk and water as a sign of purification.
All very thought provoking. Here I must state that this is my interpretation of our guides explanation as I am not an expert on Buddhism.
This rock carving at the entrance to an ancient ruin depicts the Buddhist belief in reincarnation. The outer ring is a procession of animals beginning and ending with the elephant representing rebirth, next comes the horse or the travel through life followed by the lion depicting old age and the decline in life. Finally comes the water buffalo representing death. This sequence is repeated three times with the final elephant showing yet another reincarnation. It is said that Buddha endured 550 incarnations before reaching Nirvana.
The next ring is a tangle of vines depicting the passage through life with all its entanglements, the next ring are all swans with there reputed ability to separate milk from a mixture of milk and water as a sign of purification.
All very thought provoking. Here I must state that this is my interpretation of our guides explanation as I am not an expert on Buddhism.
Written January 16, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sandaranga E
Colombo, Sri Lanka185 contributions
Nov 2019 • Family
It is discovered and believed that the Sandalada Pahana at Anuradhapura is the one and only man made stone carving which is almost looks alive. This shows how clever and creative people have been in Sri Lanka in ancient times. A must visit place if you are traveling to Anuradhapura
Written November 8, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AnilAggarwal
Kurukshetra, India7,143 contributions
Jan 2018
Moonstone name is due to its shape & design. Beautifully carved semicircular slab placed at bottom of staircases & entrances of building. This is situated northwest of Abhayagiri Dagoba in ruins of residencial complex of monks.
It represents life cycle
Its structure has half lotus in center surrounded by concentric bands. first band is procession of swans,than foliage band,than third band has carvings of elephants,lions,horses,bulls. fourth outermost band has carvings of flames.
Beautifully carved .
No seperate entry ticket
It represents life cycle
Its structure has half lotus in center surrounded by concentric bands. first band is procession of swans,than foliage band,than third band has carvings of elephants,lions,horses,bulls. fourth outermost band has carvings of flames.
Beautifully carved .
No seperate entry ticket
Written March 11, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
senuri z
21 contributions
Jan 2017 • Family
Moonstone is a good example for creativity of ancient architecture in Sri Lanka. It is situated in Anuradhapura.
Written November 13, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wingtourz
Minuwangoda, Sri Lanka106 contributions
Dec 2016 • Friends
This is the first capital of Sri Lanka. 2500 years ago King Pandukabhaya built this. Abhayagiriya stupa (pagoda), Ruwanweliseya stupa (Pagoda), Isurumuniya Temple, Tissa Lake Etc. World most oldest recorded tree (Sri Maha Bodhi) and lot of ancient Ruins can see there
Written August 3, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Susan M
Melboune175 contributions
Dec 2016
I'm so glad they have fenced it off so you can't walk on it. I was able to 10 years back. This is a detailed sculpture of a half lotus carved in the centre with a procession of swans, followed by four animals; elephants, lions, horses, and bulls. The four animals symbolize the four stages in life: growth, energy, power and forbearance.
Written April 26, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Angleseateam
Colombo, Sri Lanka229 contributions
Apr 2017 • Couples
The semi circle carving seems just that. That is until the explanation of the quest for nirvana is explained. A great experience and a help to understanding cultures.
Written April 13, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter M
Melbourne, Australia1,293 contributions
Jun 2023 • Friends
This is a semi-circular stone slab usually seen at the bottom of staircasesof ancient religious places as well as some ancient royal palaces in Sri Lanka. The Moonstone located at Mahasen's Palace is the best-preserved Moonstone found in Sri Lanka
Written November 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DipuKV
Pune, India3,314 contributions
Dec 2019
A common motif, you see it all across the ancient temples. It is the stepping stone (literally as well as figuratively)!
Written January 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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