No. 63.— 1910.] 
TANTRI-MALAI. 
99 
right and left, and half bearing on their own the makara heads. 
They stand 9 in. above the dsanaya. 
Each chdmara kdraya (2 ft. 11 in. in height) is heavily, but 
differently, adorned with a variety of ornaments ; both wear the 
upavita, or Brahmanical cord. 
Some 6 ft. on either side of the recess containing the Buddha 
are incised — more or less shallowly — four oblong panels from 3 
to 4 ft. in size. The three outer panels on the right are merely 
outlined ; as are the two towards the left end. But in the first 
and second panels respectively the carving of a figure in relief 
has been begun, though it is barely " boasted out." The first 
panel on the left alone holds a figure, roughly finished, seated 
cross-legged, with hands in lap like the Buddha, but differentiated 
by its muhuta, ov tall -peaked head dress. 
Perhaps the intention was to delineate eight Bodhisatray6. 
From the one, central, entrance to the shrine of the Buddha (no 
longer roofed) there is gradual ascent by a couple of steps succeeded 
by two flights of nine, separated by short landings — all of easy 
going, with low risers and very broad tread. These stairs , 8 f t. 6 in. 
in breadth, are cut crisply in the galpota, or rock outcrop, and 
lead up towards the dagaba situated on its summit. Sockets at the 
half-way landing betoken a former pillared and roofed portico. 
4.— Recumbent Buddha.* 
The gigantic seta pilimaya is sculptured at a brow of the 
plateau below the dagaba, also facing north. It represents the 
Mahdparinihhdna of Gautama Buddha, and was manifestly 
intended to be a close replica of the colossal recumbent image of 
the " Gal Vihare," Pojonnaruwa. 
The carving of the head, forearm, and bolster which underlies 
them, was never quite finished. Further, the head and left bent 
forearm have been deliberately damaged, and the features of the 
face are now indistinguishable. 
The whole length of the recess in which the figure lies is 40 ft. 
8 in.; but the image itself, finished with a sirespota,-f would hot 
measure more than 38 ft. 4 in., or simply from the ushnishika 
to the soles of the feet only 36 ft. 
The figure is shown in the orthodox pose. It lies on its right 
side, with head supported upon the right hand, both resting on a 
bolster. The left arm and hand, with extended fingers, lie flat 
along the side, whilst the feet are stiffly placed one upon the other. 
All but the right breast and hand is covered by the upper robe ; 
the under robe {andana sivura) is just seen exposed at the ankles. 
Measurements : — Head, 6 ft. 2 in. across ; ear, 3 ft. 10 in. by 10 
in.; height, left shoulder to right forearm, 10 ft. 10 in.; height at 
thigh, 7 ft. 3 in.; left arm, 13 ft. 3 in.; hand, 5 ft. 3 in. by 1 ft. 6 in.; 
foot, 2 ft. 8 in. broad. 
* See Plate F. 
t Capt. Hogg's photograph (No. 25) shows the sirespota or flame pro- 
cess. It is now virtually obliterated, 
h2 
