Text engraved in Signage number 21: Moonstone 1. This is one of the moonstones in Sri Lanka, which are famous for being exceptionally artistic. World being on fire is signified by the palapeti, the beings going through Samsara by the quadrupeds, the craving by the festoons, pious by the swans, the attenuation of craving by the small festoons and the lotus by enlightenment are the main themes of this moonstone. It belongs to the period between 7-8 centuries AD. This is a moonstone or sandakadapahana - a semi-circular stone slab (originally rectangular in shape), which may be highly decorated or left undecorated. It is found at the bottom of a flight of stairs leading to a stupa, shrine or other edifice. The famous moonstone at the image house, sometimes identified as "King Mahasen's pavilion" (and earlier known as the Queen's pavilion - Biso Maligāva), is considered the most beautiful extant example of one. Although considered unique to Sri Lanka, an early example is also found at t
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