Gal Potha (Stone Book)
Gal Potha, or the Stone Book, is a renowned creation of King Nissanka Malla (1187-1196) of Sri Lanka. It depicts the king's reign, his personal attributes, and the qualifications required to become a ruler in Sri Lanka. The enormous slab, which is 26 feet and 10 inches (8.2 meters) long and 4 feet and 7 inches (1.4 meters) wide, was transported from the Mahiyangana region by the king's warriors.
The text is written in three columns and contains over 4,300 characters in 72 lines. To enhance the clarity of the carved letters, melted metal appears to have been poured over them.
The sides of the rock are adorned with exquisite carvings of two rows of geese (Hamsa) forming the border. In the center of this design, there is a carved figure of Goddess Lakshmi sitting and holding two flowers while two elephants pour water over her from a container. Gal Potha is a valuable and impressive artifact that provides insight into Sri Lanka's history and culture.
The text is written in three columns and contains over 4,300 characters in 72 lines. To enhance the clarity of the carved letters, melted metal appears to have been poured over them.
The sides of the rock are adorned with exquisite carvings of two rows of geese (Hamsa) forming the border. In the center of this design, there is a carved figure of Goddess Lakshmi sitting and holding two flowers while two elephants pour water over her from a container. Gal Potha is a valuable and impressive artifact that provides insight into Sri Lanka's history and culture.
