Vatadage — Attraction in North Central Province

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"...

The stupa around the stupa is for the protection of the stupa and for the convenience of pilgrims. The Vatadage is also known as Chethiyaya, Dhatuga, Dagaya, Thupaghara etc. The preliminary work of creating the Vatadage was carried out in the middle of the Anuradhapura period. The Vatadage is said to have been the inspiration for the Chaitya Hall, which was built during the Mauryan period in India.

The main plan of a Vatadage is to build a roof over it with a few rounds of tall stone pillars. In addition, the walls of the palace have been erected for the sake of beauty and protection.

The Polonnaruwa Vatadage built by King Parakramabahu the Great is a masterpiece of the artistry of the Buddhists. Similarly, the moonstone of the Polonnaruwa era can be seen in the vicinity of the Polonnaruwa Vatadage. There are four stone pillars, each with eight stone pillars per round. The headings of the stone pillars are engraved. Another unique feature of this Vatadage is the presence of four Buddha statues in the Samadhi Mudra, facing the four directions of the Polonnaruwa Vatadage.

Archaeologists and historians differ as to who built the Polonnaruwa Vatadage, and one theory is that it was built during the reign of Parakramabahu I during the 12th century. Culavamsa states that he erected a circular stone relic shrine to deposit the Tooth Relic of the Buddha. Archaeologist Bell believes that the relic shrine is the Polonnaruwa Vatadage. Several historical sources in the island, such as Rajavaliya and Poojavali, which contradict this, say that it was built by King Nissanka Malla. Regardless of the design, Arthur Maurice Hockhart's studies show that King Nissanka Malla had renovated the existing building and made only a few additions, such as the entrance and exterior gates. Wilhelm Geiger, a translator of the Mahavamsa and a historian Both Codrington agree with this view. The inscription found by King Nissanka Malla in the vicinity lists the Vatadage as one of his constructions, but it is said that it was built by a general under his supervision. Vatadages, an integral part of ancient Buddhist architecture, were built for the protection of small sacred stupas that had been erected or purified by important sacred objects. If the Polonnaruwa Vatadage was a shrine built by King Parakramabahu I, the Buddha's Tooth Relic may have been enshrined in it. The other characteristic is the bowl relic of the Buddha. Both these relics were important elements of ancient Sri Lankan culture, and the Polonnaruwa Vatadage was one of the most important and most revered structures in...

Yet another place to be traveled regarding popular tourist sites, is the Vatadage of Polonnaruwa, North central province of Sri Lanka. The ancient stupa was built by King Nishshankamalla (1187-1196). The structure is being recovered by a roof. At the center of the Stupa, to the four sides, fabulously carved Buddha images of Lord Buddha can be found. The roof is supported by two stone pillars and rests are fallen down.

The carved stone stairs which will lead you to the upper terrace is located in between two beautifully carved guard stones. Obviously, the ancient moonstone or the Sandakada Pahana of Polonnaruwa era is remarkable. Being a UNESCO world heritage site the city of Polonnaruwa is being developed with essential tourism facilities and infrastructure. In fact, with the transference from the Anuradhapura to Polonnaruwa the moonstone has been added with several changes. The four animals, the lion, the bull, and horse were concerned as the three main remains of the moonstone later. The bull was the vehicle of God Shiva, therefore it was taken off from the moonstone where all the people and devotees walked on. Dr. Arthur Maurice Hocart said that King Nisshankamalla had just renovated the Vatadage and was built by King Parakramabahu during the 12th century. However, this unique building is was later attacked with the South Indian Dravidian attacks. So that Vatadage seems to be neglected with the change of the kingdoms. In 1903, the department of Archeologists started to excavate the site and today the quadrangular area is open to the public. While the base diameter is about 27 feet the two leveled Vatadage terrace or platform is one of the well-preserved Vatadage buildings of Sri Lanka. But is said that the kings used citizens build the Vatadage as a service instead of who were unable to pay the taxes to the king. Sri Lanka is mended with so many tourist attractions attached with glorious building construction. The remaining 8 feet stone columns of the Vatadage of Polonnaruwa are proved to be made by skilled craftsmen who contributed to the social, economic and religious development of our country. Travelers are expected to take caps and water bottles to get refreshed during their journeys. If so they can recover from...