Ancient temple ruins with a unique circular shape. Once has been housed the sacred tooth relic of lord Buddha.

One of the oldest & most beautiful monuments in Polonnaruwa. As with many other vatadage, it had a stupa in the centre with four Buddha images facing the cardinal directions. Most important thing is the remaining structure of this historical place that is giving unique view in fact it gives the modern audience an incredible view of what a complete vatadage would actually have looked like. I had the feeling like time travel to 1000 years ago and you also visit this place and share your thought how it would be feels to you.

One of the more unique structures of the entire kingdom, the Polonnaruwa Vatadage has a long and illustrious history. Considered to be the only structure of its kind in the whole of Sri Lanka, this complex is believed to be the place in which the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Lord Buddha was housed, following the shift in the capital from Anuradhapura in the 11th century.

Date of visit- 2nd September 2018 Its part of the sacred quadrangle site in Polonnaruwa. The quadrangle holds numerous significant sacred monuments, displaying the most grandeur architecture of the Polonnaruwa period. These are the Vatadage Stupa, Atadage and Hetadage (shrines of the Tooth and Bowl Relics), Nisshankalatha Mandapa, Galpotha (Stone Book) and the Sathmahal Prasada Stupa (Seven story edifices). The most eye-catching sight of the quadrangle is the circular Vatadage. The middle of the shrine is surrounded by four large Buddha statues seated around it. It is believed that the Atadage was constructed to contain the Buddha Tooth Relic, that is now in the Temple of Tooth in Kandy. Truly the craftsmanship is spectacular and one of the best sights in Polonnaruwa ruins.

The nicest sight in the ancient city. The circular structure with its staircase leading the statues of buddhas is really impressive. Too bad nothing is being done to preserve it ... Visit it while it's still standing.

This beautiful Stupa House (Vatadage) has been built before the time of Nissanga Malla (1187-1196) but he has carried out major renovations on this building. So what you see today is probably his work. The uniqueness of such buildings is that the Stupa is protected by a roof. Therefore Stupa’s in such buildings are small. Another beautiful “Vatadage” is situated in Madirigiriya few kilometers away from Polonnaruwa. A detail description of the overall “Stupaghara” or “Chethiyaghara” architecture including vatadages of Sri Lanka can be found here. On the centre is a small stupa and on the four sides, there are beautifully carved Buddha statues. These statues are different to what is normally found. The curly hair is not visible on the head. And the robe is also flat which is unusual. The roof has been supported by two rows of stone pillars around the Stupa. None of the pillars are visible today. But the pillars outside the walls are still intact. Four sets of beautifully carved stone stairs lead the upper level from four sides. On the side of stair case some of most beautiful guard stones and moonstones in this area can be seen. The guard stones on the eastern side of the temple is said to be the best guard stone in t he Polonnaruwa era. The moonstones in the Polonnaruwa era had undergone a major change compared to the Anuradhapura moonstones. The most visible is the disappearance of the bull in the carvings. (See Pancavasa with the Moonstone for a brief description of moonstones in Anuradhapura era.) Where the moonstones originally had four animals – the elephant, the horse, the lion, the bull, now only three remain. Bull is the vehicle of God Shiva (according to Hindu beliefs) and is considered a holy animal by Hindu’s. Probably for this reason, it has been taken off the moonstone where everybody who enters the temple tramples. Instead the bull has been placed on the side of the stairways at a higher elevation in some places.

the best old place in polonnaruwa. looking very nice its a very different experience with the guests.

A very unique circular structure, housing a stupa surrounded by a brick wall.

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.

Vatadagaya considered as one of the iconic monument in Polonnaruwa. Can enter from 4 sides and 4 statues of Buddha is facing each direction. In the midde there is a stupa. This must have been covered by a brick wall where the remains can be seen.

This location is the second stop when you start from the palace at the far south. parking is not a concern in any of the places as there are ample parking available. after you enter the place, you need to remove your hats and shoes. There are four entrances to the stupa and entire place is built from the bricks. can see the moonstones at every entrance.

The Polonnaruwa Vatadage has been built around a small stupa with a base diameter of 27 ft. 8 inches. The Vatadage has two platform- the lower and the raised upper platform. The lower platform is 120 ft. in diameter and has a height of 4 ft. 3 inches from the ground level while the upper platform is 80 ft. in diameter and has a height of 5 ft. 3 inches from the lower platform.

The Polonnaruwa Vatadage is one of the most iconic and significant archaeological sites in Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka. It is a circular relic house or stupa shrine that was built during the reign of King Parakramabahu I (1153-1186 AD), a period known for its great cultural and architectural achievements. The Polonnaruwa Vatadage holds a central place in the city's sacred architecture and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Key features and information about the Polonnaruwa Vatadage: Circular Design: The Vatadage is known for its circular design, a typical feature of Vatadages in Sri Lanka. Its circular layout represents the concept of eternity and the unending cycle of samsara in Buddhism. Central Stupa: In the center of the Vatadage stands a stupa, which is a dome-like structure that houses relics, often associated with the Buddha or other revered figures. The central stupa is surrounded by a circular terrace. Four Entrances: The Polonnaruwa Vatadage has four entrances, each facing one of the cardinal directions. These entrances are adorned with intricately carved moonstones, guardstones, and sculpted doorways. The moonstones typically feature exquisite carvings depicting scenes from Buddhist cosmology. Guardstones: Guardstones are stone sculptures placed on either side of the entrances. They depict protective figures or deities and are meant to ward off evil spirits. Outer Wall: The Vatadage is enclosed by an outer wall, which serves as an additional protective layer for the sacred relics and the central stupa. The outer wall features elaborate carvings and decorations. Decorative Carvings: The entire structure is adorned with a variety of decorative carvings, including images from Buddhist stories, lotus petals, and other intricate motifs. The Polonnaruwa Vatadage is not only an architectural marvel but also an important religious site. It was built to house and protect sacred relics, making it a revered location for Buddhist worship. Visitors can explore the site and admire its historical and artistic significance, as it offers a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of ancient Sri Lanka.

There are so many things that have to be important to students. It is a very historic and attractive palace.

Visiting a spiritual site for a a few days is the perfect way to relax and rejuvenate ☺️. Sri Lankan one of tourists place in Polanaruwa.

Very beautiful temple in the sacred quadrangle ( tooth relic temple complex )

Ancient Vatadage is a "Must" place to visit if you travel to Polonnaruwa. These sacred places show how mighty the ancient Sri Lanka would have been ... It is one of my personal favourites.

It's very beautiful historical place.The polonnaruwa vatadage is an ancient structure dating back to the polonnaruwa period of Sri Lanka. It is believed to have been built during the region of King parakramabahu 1 to hold the relic of the tooth of Lord Buddha.