Yapahuwa, Sri Lanka.

The two 'Gaja-singhe' statues guarding the entrance.

One of the two 'Chinese lions' seen against the sky.

The entrance stairway.

Carvings in granite, Yapahuwa, Sri Lanka.

Female dancer with musicians.

Acrobats with dancers.

Dancers.

Female dancer with cymbal player and drummer.

The female dancers were shown with large breasts, wide hips and narrow waists. These have been the ideals of a female form for millenia in the South Asian region. This form is described in the literary traditions here.

Coming down from the Yapahuwa rock, Sri Lanka.

Precision-fitted granite blocks.

Stone carvings.

Going down the stairway.

The 'Chinese Lion' and the 'Gaja-singhe' stone carvings.

Coming down, Yapahuwa, Sri Lanka.

The top of the rock, view from below.

A stone retaining wall.

Carvings on a granite pillar.

Coming down from the top, Yapahuwa, Sri Lanka.

Flowers growing wild near the top of the rock.

Iron guard rails on the rock.

Cactus plants growing wild.

Stairway with guard rails.

A fresh breeze blowing it is a pleasure to see the surrounding countryside while climbing down.

Top of the Yapahuwa rock, Sri Lanka.

Foot-path at the top of the rock.

A view of the countryside.

Caves just beneath the top of the rock.

Scenes on the top of the Yapahuwa rock, Sri Lanka.

The distant horizon.

A ruined building. Was it the building which housed the sacred 'Tooth Relic'?

A 'Mal Aasana' - Pedestral for votive offering of flowers to the sacred 'Tooth Relic'?

The top of the 'Yapahuwa' rock had the building to house the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Lord Buddha, a Chaithya and a pond cut in the rock to collect rainwater. The above photos show the remains of them today.