Tuesday, July 2, 2013

7D Sri Lanka: Polonnaruwa - The Vatadage

Date: 9/6/2013


The Vatadage or Circular Relic House, which dates from the 7th century and was part of a Monastery has a stupa in the centre with four Buddha images each of which faces the principal directions. This circular relic house possesses an elegance and beauty that is rare even in ancient Sri Lanka. In line with the outer circle of stone pillars is a tastefully ornamented screen wall patterned with four petaled flowers. 

The flights of access stairs at the cardinal points are of stone and are beautifully carved. At the head of each flight is a Buddha statue in stone. The shrine is lavished with moonstones., guard stones and sculptured writings.  The shrine, like all dagobas in Sri Lanka, is oriented towards the cardinal points - north, south, east and west. Four Buddha statues face outwards, with their backs to the dagaba mound.






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