Sakwala Chakraya

The Sakwala Chakraya was first formally documented by British archaeologist Harry Bell in 1911 during the colonial period's systematic cataloging of Sri Lankan archaeological sites. Bell's interpretation, which has remained the scholarly consensus, viewed the carving as a cosmological map representing Buddhist or Hindu concepts of the universe's structure. The petroglyph consists of concentric circles with radiating lines, creating a mandala-like pattern that aligns with traditional South Asian cosmological diagrams.

Subsequent archaeological surveys have confirmed the carving's integration into Anuradhapura's broader sacred landscape, though precise dating remains challenging due to the weathered nature of the rock surface. The surrounding stone seats suggest the site served ceremonial or meditative purposes, consistent with Buddhist monastic practices that flourished in the region during the Anuradhapura period. Some researchers have noted similarities to astronomical charts or calendrical systems found elsewhere in ancient South Asia.

The scientific consensus maintains that the Sakwala Chakraya represents sophisticated cosmological knowledge rather than technological blueprints. However, the exact meaning and purpose of specific design elements remain subjects of scholarly debate. The carving's geometric precision and symbolic complexity demonstrate the advanced mathematical and artistic capabilities of ancient Sri Lankan civilization, though many aspects of its original context and ritual significance have been lost to time.