Hatadage
- The Hatadage is an ancient relic shrine built by King Nissanka Malla in the late 12th century to house the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha.
- The name "Hatadage" means "sixty relic house," possibly referring to its rapid construction — said to have been completed in just sixty hours or sixty days.
- The building once had two stories, made of stone and brick, though only the lower level remains today.
- Inside, visitors can still see three standing Buddha statues carved from granite, positioned along the inner wall.
- The entrance is adorned with beautiful moonstones, guardstones, and carved pillars, typical of Polonnaruwa's fine craftsmanship.
- The Hatadage stands directly in front of the Vatadage, forming part of the sacred quadrangle known as the Dalada Maluwa.
- It is a perfect example of the architectural skill and religious devotion of the Polonnaruwa period.
- The walls once supported a wooden upper floor, possibly used to store sacred relics and offerings.Today, the Hatadage remains a peaceful and spiritually significant site, reminding visitors of the deep Buddhist heritage of ancient Sri Lanka.
