Muragala

Muragala or muru gal, also known as a guardstone, are a unique feature of the Sinhalese architecture of ancient Sri Lanka.[1] The muragala is a set of twin oblong slabs of stone, with a rounded top, located at the foot of the flight of steps, leading to a place of worship, situated on a higher elevation.Charles Godakumbura, the Commissioner of Archaeology in Ceylon from 1956 to 1967, described the evolution of the muragala from its origins as a painted wooden plank or a stone terminal slab, serving as a stop wedge at the lower end of a slanting rail or balustrade (korawakgala) through to its final form as an elaborate carved stone.[5] He distinguished five phases in its evolution: More recently archeologists consider that muragala merely served as a decorative feature, rather than a structural purpose.This however was not strictly a consecutive evolution but a succession of overlapping developments, with the most evolved pūrṇaghaṭa motifs not necessarily pre-dating the earliest Nāgarājas carvings.
Entrance to Polonnaruwa Vatadage , with the two stone muragala located either side of the staircase.
A close-up of the muragala, depicting the naga-raja. In one hand he holds a pūrṇaghaṭa and in the other a sprouting branch complete with leaves, buds and flowers. Around his head is a seven-hooded cobra hood. The two minor figures at his feet are Śańkha and Padma.
Sinhalese architecture of ancient Sri LankaPolonnaruwa VatadageSandakada pahanaCharles Godakumburabalustradekorawakgalapūrṇaghaṭa (vessels of abundance)Kuvera (God of Wealth)bhūtas (powerful protective ghosts/spirits)AnuradhapuraanthropomorphicAnuradhapura periodPolonnaruwa periodAnuradhapura KingdomArchaeological DepartmentSunday ObserverSri Lankan architectureBuddhist architectureDravidian architectureAmbalamaCadjanMaha GabadavaWalauwaViharayaMahaviharaGal ViharaTempita ViharaDagoba/StupasHindu templesMosquesCathedralsChaityaPadhanagharaVatadageKatarayaKenimadalaMadol KurupawaPekadaVahalkadaTheory and analysisArchitectsManjusri Vasthu Vidya SastraArchitecture schools in Sri LankaSri Lankan units of measurementAncient constructionsColonial mansions