Vatadage Relic House, Polonnaruwa

Vatadage, Polonnaruwa (29 August, 2005)

The Vatadage of Polonnaruwa is probably the most renowned of the many vatadage found in Sri Lanka. Vatadages are structures unique to the country. The name simply means circular religious building. Some Vatadages have a stupa within it.

The Vatadage of Polonnaruwa dates from the 7th century, and was part of a monastery which flourished in Polonnaruwa when the capital was still at Anuradhapura. As with many other vatadage, it had a stupa in the centre with four Buddha images facing the cardinal directions.

One of the four entrances to Vatadage, with the moonstone mat and the flanking guardstones (29 August, 2005)

Reflecting the tradition of the time, the Vatadage entrances are embellished with moonstones to welcome, and guardstones to ward off evil. It probably had a wooden roof which is now long gone, although the bricks and stone columns are still standing. Subsequent kings made additions to the temple. King Nissanka Malla added a very elaborate makara balustrade.

When visiting Vatadage, and particularly when photographing it, I have to remember to face the Buddha statue. It is forbidden to take photograph of persons with their back towards a Buddha statue in Polonnaruwa and many other places in Sri Lanka, so it is not possible to take a group shot unless the people stand behind the statue.