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Description
The Polonnaruwa Vatadage is an ancient structure dating back to the Kingdom of Polonnaruwa of Sri Lanka. It is believed to have been built during the reign of Parakramabahu I to hold the Relic of the tooth of the Buddha or during the reign of Nissanka Malla of Polonnaruwa to hold the alms bowl used by the Buddha.
Located within the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, it is the best-preserved example of a vatadage in the country and has been described as the "ultimate development" of this type of architecture.
Built for the protection of a small stupa, the structure has two stone platforms decorated with elaborate stone carvings. The lower platform is entered through a single entrance facing the north, while the second platform can be accessed through four doorways facing the four cardinal points. The upper platform, surrounded by a brick wall, contains the stupa. Four Buddha statues are seated around it, each facing one of the entrances. Three concentric rows of stone columns had also been positioned here, presumably to support a wooden roof. The entire structure is decorated with stone carvings. Some of the carvings at the Polonnaruwa Vatadage, such as its sandakadapahanas, are considered to be the best examples of such architectural features.
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Location
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Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka
District
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Closed
Open hours today: 7:00 am - 8:00 pm
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Monday
7:00 am - 8:00 pm
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Tuesday
7:00 am - 8:00 pm
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Wednesday
7:00 am - 8:00 pm
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Thursday
7:00 am - 8:00 pm
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Friday
7:00 am - 8:00 pm
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Saturday
7:00 am - 8:00 pm
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Sunday
7:00 am - 8:00 pm
June 1, 2023 11:49 pm local time
Contact Details
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Phone Number+94 112 692 840
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AddressPolonnaruwa
Google Reviews
Joy Bose
10:57 07 Nov 21
It is a huge temple mpnastery cemetery complex in polonnaruwa. Contains a number of monasteries like kiri vihara and... temples, residences for monks, cemeteries for monks etcread more
Yasith Ramawickrama
13:59 04 Nov 21
The Polonnaruwa Vatadage is an ancient structure dating back to the Kingdom of Polonnaruwa of Sri Lanka. It is believed... to have been built during the reign of Parakramabahu I to hold the Relic of the tooth of the Buddha or during the reign of Nissanka Malla of Polonnaruwa to hold the alms bowl used by the Buddha.Built for the protection of a small stupa, the structure has two stone platforms decorated with elaborate stone carvings. The lower platform is entered through a single entrance facing the north, while the second platform can be accessed through four doorways facing the four cardinal points. The upper platform, surrounded by a brick wall, contains the stupa. Four Buddha statues are seated around it, each facing one of the entrances. Three concentric rows of stone columns had also been positioned here, presumably to support a wooden roof. The entire structure is decorated with stone carvings. Some of the carvings at the Polonnaruwa Vatadage, such as its sandakada pahanas, are considered to be the best examples of such architectural features. Although some archaeologists have suggested that it also had a wooden roof, this theory is disputed by others.read more
tusar kanti Sarkar
14:14 24 Jun 21
Polonnaruwa Vatadage temple,Anuradhapura, Shri Lanka.The Polonnaruwa Vatadage is an ancient structure dating back... to the Kingdom of Polonnaruwa of Sri Lanka. It is believed to have been built during the reign of Parakramabahu I to hold the Relic of the tooth of the Buddha or during the reign of Nissanka Malla of Polonnaruwa to hold the alms bowl used by the Buddha. Both these venerated relics would have given the structure a great significance and importance at the time. Located within the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, it is the best preserved example of a vatadage in the country, and has been described as the "ultimate development" of this type of architecture. Abandoned for several centuries, excavation work at the Polonnaruwa Vatadage began in 1903.It was built by Parakramabahu I during his reign in the 12th century. The Culavamsa, an ancient chronicle, mentions that he built a circular stone shrine to hold the tooth relic of the Buddha. Archaeologist Harry Charles Purvis Bell believed that this shrine is the Polonnaruwa Vatadage. This is contradicted by several ancient sources of the island, including Rajavaliya and Poojavaliya, which mention that it was built by Nissanka Malla. However, according to the studies of Arthur Maurice Hocart, Nissanka Malla only renovated an already existing building and made some additions such as the entrance and outer porch. Wilhelm Geiger, who translated the ancient Mahavamsa, and historian H. W. Codrington both agree with this theory. A nearby stone inscription set by Nissanka Malla lists the Vatadage among his constructions. In this, he claims that it was built by one of his generals under his own direction.A unique feature of architecture of ancient Sri Lanka, vatadages were built for the protection of small stupas that had an important relic enshrined in them or were built on hallowed ground. If the Polonnaruwa Vatadage is the shrine built by Parakramabahu I, the relic of the tooth of the Buddha would have been enshrined within it. Another possibility is that the alms bowl used by the Buddha may have been enshrined here. Both these relics were important objects in ancient Sri Lankan culture, and would have made the Polonnaruwa Vatadage one of the most significant and venerated buildings in the country.Polonnaruwa was abandoned in 1215 following an invasion from the Eastern Ganga Dynasty invader Kalinga Magha. The Polonnaruwa Vatadage appears to have been abandoned with the fall of the kingdom, and there is no mention of it in the chronicles in later periods. It was not until 1903 that the Department of Archaeology began excavation work at the site under Bell, who noted that it was "only a mound of earth" at the time.read more
Sameera Dasanayake
03:25 22 May 21
This ancient structure is located in Polonnaruwa sacred city, and it is believed to be constructed during the period of... King Parakramabahu 1 to keep the Relic of the tooth of the Lord Gautama Buddha. However, some scholars believe that it was built during the reign of king Nishshanka malla to hold the alms bowl used by the Lord Buddha. Though there are few vatadages around the country, this one (Vatadage 39) is considered as the best preserved one.Purpose of building such a structure was to provide protection to a small stupa housing tooth relic or alms bowl. It has a beautiful sadakada pahana carved at the entrance. The building has been built around a small stupa with a base diameter of 27 feet 8 inches (8.43 m). The Vatadage has two levels; the lower platform and the raised upper platform that contains the stupa. The upper platform is 80 feet (24 m) in diameter, and the lower one 120 feet (37 m). The lower platform is 4 feet 3 inches (1.30 m) from ground level, and the upper platform is 5 feet 3 inches (1.60 m) from the lower. The four Buddha statues, which depict the Dhyana mudra, are also carved from solid rock.This is located closure to the parakrama samudraya (bendiwewa). It is a 5 hour journey (193 kilometres) from Colombo International Airport via Kurunegala, Dambulla and Polonnaruwa.read more
Mihin_ Mindula
00:55 23 Apr 21
The Polonnaruwa Vatadage is an ancient structure dating back to the Kingdom of Polonnaruwa of Sri Lanka. It is believed... to have been built during the reign of Parakramabahu I to hold the Relic of the tooth of the Buddha or during the reign of Nissanka Malla of Polonnaruwa to hold the alms bowl used by the Buddha. Both these venerated relics would have given the structure a great significance and importance at the time. Located within the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, it is the best preserved example of a vatadage in the country, and has been described as the "ultimate development" of this type of architecture. Abandoned for several centuries, excavation work at the Polonnaruwa Vatadage began in 1903.Built for the protection of a small stupa, the structure has two stone platforms decorated with elaborate stone carvings. The lower platform is entered through a single entrance facing the north, while the second platform can be accessed through four doorways facing the four cardinal points. The upper platform, surrounded by a brick wall, contains the stupa. Four Buddha statues are seated around it, each facing one of the entrances. Three concentric rows of stone columns had also been positioned here, presumably to support a wooden roof. The entire structure is decorated with stone carvings. Some of the carvings at the Polonnaruwa Vatadage, such as its sandakada pahanas, are considered to be the best examples of such architectural features. Although some archaeologists have suggested that it also had a wooden roof, this theory is disputed by others.read more
Kosala Gunawardana
14:31 03 Apr 21
This is believed to have been first used to house the Tooth Relic .
Amalka Maheshan
17:02 10 Nov 20
Historically very good place to visit you can see Old memories in sri lanka Very beautiful place to visit and you can... Go to the one of Superb kingdom in sri lanka Old king palace old Swimming pool What a beautiful place 💕💕💕I can't go look one day To look everywhere nice place to walk and visit if you are going to Sri Lanka don't forget to go polonnaruwaread more
Imal Meemaduma
10:25 22 May 20
Yapahuwa : යාපහුව was one of the ephemeral capitals of medieval Sri Lanka. The citadel of Yapahuwa lying midway... between Kurunagala and Anuradhapura was built around a huge granite rock rising abruptly almost a hundred meters above the surrounding lowlands.In 1272, King Bhuvenakabahu transferred the capital from Polonnaruwa to Yapahuwa in the face of Dravidian invasions from South India, bringing the Sacred Tooth Relic with him. Following the death of King Bhuvenakabahu in 1284, the Pandyans of South India invaded Sri Lanka once again, and succeeded in capturing Sacred Tooth Relic. Following its capture, Yapahuwa was largely abandoned and inhabited by Buddhist monks and religious ascetics.read more
Yangana Perera
18:01 27 Apr 20
Very clean and tidy which mean excellent cleaning services..The place is often crowded with people (tourists)
Andrew Walton
23:50 31 Dec 19
Part of the quadrangle complex, a must see. Be sure to observe customs (covered shoulders and knees, no hats, no... shoes). On a hot day wearing socks might be advisable to avoid getting scalded feet on the hot stones otherwise it can be an exercise in hopping from shade cover to shade cover. Definitely rent a bike, don't be a spoilt tourist and drive between all the locations in the sacred siteread more
Ameenul Aslam
06:16 10 Nov 19
The Sacred Quadrangle is a compact group of beautiful and impressive ruins within a raised up platform bounded by a... wall. This is the most concentrated collection of buildings in the whole Ancient City, and a must-see for any visitor!In the middle of the Quadrangle is The Vatadage, a circular relic house typical of its kind. The outermost terrace is an impressive 18m in diameter and has four entrances all flanked by large guard stones in beautiful condition.The four entrances all lead to a central dagaba with four Buddhas.read more
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