Korawakgala

Korawakgala, or koravakgal (Sinhala: කොරවක්ගල) (wingstones), are stone balustrades, which are located on either side of the stairs/steps leading to the entrance or door of a religious building or structure.

They form one of three distinct architectural features at the entrance of most Buddhist structures in Sri Lanka, being the sandakada pahana (moonstone), muragala (guardstones) and the korawakgala (wingstones).

These plaques were detailed only with a few geometric lines to highlight the shape, later, a simple pot or a pillar was added on the exterior wall of the structure.

[3] The structures subsequently evolved into a smoother shape, curving its edges and then a decorated floral design, incorporating flowers and leaves, entangled together.

The most advanced stage of the korawakgala is a makaragala (dragonstones), which incorporates the addition of a heavily decorated makara (dragon), a mythological creature, which consists of various body parts from numerous different animals.