This destination is recognised by Unesco as a World Heritage Site. Click to view list of World Heritage Sites documented by AsiaExplorers.
Atadage
Polonnaruwa Heritage Site

   


Your base for exploring this tourist attraction is the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka. For tourist information about Polonnaruwa, go to Polonnaruwa Travel Guide. To prepare for a trip to Sri Lanka, read also the Sri Lanka Travel Guide. Looking for budget accommodation there? Use AsiaExplorers Budget Accommodation Guide, the no-frills website to cover your budget accommodation needs.


The Atadage is the first Tooth Relic Temple of Polonnaruwa. It was built by Vijayabahu in the 11th century. The name Atadage means "House of Eight Relics". What remains of Atadage today are 54 stone pillars which once supported a timber upper floor where the relic was kept.

Many of the pillars bear inscriptions. There were also inscriptions in Tamil, meant for the Tamil guardians who came from South India to protect the sacred relics - the Tamil guards act just like the Swiss guards who protect the Pope. A big Buddha image, almost 3 m high, stands near the end of the temple.



The Atadage.


Places of interest in Polonnaruwa

Polonnaruwa Travel Guide

Explore the places of interest in Polonnaruwa. Click to view list.

Polonnaruwa Travel Guide

























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How much have you explored Sri Lanka? Through AsiaExplorers, you can now explore these places in Sri Lanka from the comfort of your desk: Sri Lanka, Anuradhapura (Abhayagiri Giant Pond, Abhayagiri Monastery, Dakkhina Stupa, Jetavana Dagoba, Kuttam Pokuna Twin Ponds, Lankarama Dagoba, Ruwanweliseya Dagoba, Sri Maha Bodhi Tree, Thuparama Dagoba, Aukana Buddha), Colombo, (Asokaramaya Buddhist Temple, Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall, Dutch Period Museum, Fort District, Fort Railway Station, Galle Face Hotel, Independence Memorial Hall, Jami-Ul-Alfar Mosque, National Museum, Old Town Hall, Pettah District, Seema Malakaya Meditation Centre, Sri Kailawasanathar Swami Devasthanam Temple, Town Hall, Viharamahadevi Park), Dambulla Cave Temple, Galle Fort, Kandy (Sri Dalada Maligawa, Temple of the Tooth Relic, Kandy Lake, Kohomba Kankariya Folk Dance, Queens Hotel), Mihintale, Negombo, Nuwara Eliya (Tea Factory Hotel, Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, Polonnaruwa (Atadage, Gal Pota, Gal Vihara, Hatadage, Lata Mandapa, Parakrama Samudra, Parakramabahu's Council Chamber, Rankot Vihara, Satmahal Prasada, Shiva Devale, Thuparama Image House, Vatadage, Vijayanta Pasada), Ramboda Falls, Sigiriya, Sri Lanka Durians

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