Moonstone or Sandakada pahana

Sri Lanka

It is obvious that any elevated terrace requires a flight of steps to reach the surface level above. The steps of ancient buildings were individual stones cut in to shape. A pole or railing is required to hold and provide ease to the climb. Through the passage of time this rail would have developed into an abacus now known Korawakgala decorated with depictions of artistic stone carvings on it. This also provided the stability to the stone steps and stopped any erosion. However, it seems that this stony rail structure did not contain any structural support itself to avoid a sudden collapse or a slide towards its front. .