Hatadage

Hatadage, meaning shrine of sixty relics, is a historic sacred structure located in the city of Polonnaruwa. King Nissanka Malla is said to be the builder of this architecture according to historical sources Rajaveliya and Poojavaliya. Atadage lies on the west of Hatadage and Galpotha stone inscription on the east. According to the Galpotha inscription, it is mentioned that Hatadage was built in sixty hours of time. Another theory states that it is so named because it held sixty relics since the Sinhalese word “Hata” means sixty and “Dage” means relic shrine.

This 120 feet lengthy and 90 feet wide construction is built using stones, bricks and wood. The early two-storey structure has been destroyed and the lower storey remains. The main entrance is on the south directly facing the entrance of Polonnaruwa Vatadage decorated with stone carvings and moonstones. There is another small doorway on the east of this building.

The shrine was covered with a wooden roof whereas nothing remains now. The outer layer of the walls is covered by stone plates and the base is decorated with friezes of lotus flowers and lions.

Three historically important Buddha sculptures carved out of granite rock are placed at the centre of the chamber of worship. The middle statue is 9 feet in height and the other two are 7.5 feet tall each. The main entrance leads to a small chamber containing six stone columns and a staircase to the upper storey. The main square-shaped chamber contained sixteen stone columns and four windows. The sides are 11 metres in length.

This architecture remains to be a fascinating structure of the Polonnaruwa era and an ideal location to explore ancient relic shrines.