32 
JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). [VOL. XVIII. 
horses, cattle, makarayas, dragons, swans, serpents, and kinduras, 
&c., plated with gold. The columns of the verandah outside and the 
tiles on the roof were gilt, and the floor covered with sheets of white 
lead. The various stages were separated by short walls supported at 
the corners by figures of the Sataravaran deities armed with swords, while 
those of other gods and Brahmas carrying offerings and the five kinds 
of lotus occupied the gaps. The spires terminating the roof were 
adorned with gilt five- headed snakes and dragons plated with gold 
lifting up their great hoods on high, while along the edges of the roof 
heads of snakes and dragons plated with gold were arranged alter- 
nately ; in the intervals were figures of swans, peacocks, parrots, doves, 
pigeons, and other birds, all gilt and carrying lotus-flowers in their 
beaks, in such profusion as almost to hide the gilt tiles. On the walls 
were also gilt images of kinduras and nagas blowing horns. 
All the eleven stages were similarly gilt, and on the extreme point of 
the central spire was fixed a gem the size of an orange. The wall 
surrounding this was of various kind of alabaster ; at the four corners 
and at the sides of the four gates were fixed twelve large lamps of 
alabaster shaped like harandu^ while 380 smaller ones adorned the 
walls. There were also fixed round about figures of elephants, horses, 
lions, bears, crocodiles, snakes, makaras, and deer, all of the same 
material and in due proportion ; these served as lamps, the lights being 
placed inside them. There were also here and there figures of yakshas, 
rakshas, and bhairayas, serving as door-guardians at the eight points. 
Lower down the mountain was a cave, in which was a gilt image of 
the Sachcha Bandhana hermit. Close by the flight of stone steps on the 
north side stood two large stone pillars on which were fixed stout iron 
rods ; to these were secured a pole of the size of a large arecanut tree 
cased in copper and gilt, supporting an umbrella also of copper 
gilt. At the north and south gates down either side the stone steps 
ran two snakes with bodies like large palmirah trees made of white 
lead ; where they reached the ground their huge five-fold hoods 
made of bronze are raised aloft with such a fierce aspect as would 
strike terror in any beholder. 
Encircling this spot and outside the walls there was a large number 
of sesat of various coloured cloths : lower down and towards the 
rising sun was a gilt dagaba with relics of the Buddha ; on its spire 
was designed in gilt the six-hued halo of the lord blazing forth. To 
the west, on the top of the mountain where he had alighted from the 
sky, was another similar dagaba : around it were several images 
as well as a poya-ge^ a preaching-hall, a life-sized statue of the Buddha, 
two viharas containing many images, and a large dining-hall on the 
walls of which were illustrated incidents at the impressing of the Sacred 
Foot. There was also a tank of lead filled with cool water. Lower 
down again ia a large cave to the south-east were three more gilt dagabas. 
Such was this marvellous place : none but the architect of the gods 
himself could have designed it. 
There were two gates, carefully secured with keys and bolts and 
watched by guards who were appointed according to the various 
watches. Here and there among the caves were seats fashioned for 
meditation. On all sides were priests' houses of two and three stages, 
adorned with gilding ; these were crowded with holy priests and 
Samaneras, and pious devotees of either sex, while numerous tanks 
and wells of cool water adorned the spot. 
