Hatadage
A stone relic shrine in the Quadrangle built by King Nissanka Malla to house the sacred Tooth Relic, its doorway framing three standing Buddha statues.
Facing directly across from the entrance to the Polonnaruwa Vatadage, within the northern edge of the Sacred Quadrangle, Hatadage was built by King Nissanka Malla during his reign between 1187 and 1196 specifically as a shrine to house the Buddha's tooth relic. The building's name carries a genuinely charming origin story, Hata meaning sixty in Sinhala, and Dage meaning relic shrine, together commemorating the claim, recorded across several historical sources including the Rajaveliya and Pujavaliya chronicles as well as the nearby Galpotha inscription itself, that the entire structure was constructed in just sixty hours, an almost unbelievable feat of speed construction that's remained part of the site's lore ever since.
Originally a two story structure built from a combination of stone, brick and wood, only the ground floor stone and brick walls survive today, the wooden upper level having long since collapsed or been destroyed. Within a chamber of the shrine, three Buddha statues carved from granite remain in place, quiet survivors of what would have been an actively venerated relic house during the height of Polonnaruwa's religious life. Nissanka Malla's construction of Hatadage came during a period when he was actively competing with the legacy of his predecessor Parakramabahu I, both kings racing, in effect, to be seen as the true guardian of Sri Lanka's most sacred Buddhist relic.
Positioned at the heart of the Quadrangle, its entrance directly aligned with the Vatadage opposite, Hatadage remains one of the more evocative ruins within Polonnaruwa's densest cluster of monuments, its swift, almost legendary construction timeline adding a layer of genuine folklore to what's otherwise a fairly straightforward relic shrine.
At a glance
- Entry fee: Covered by the Polonnaruwa ancient city ticket, around USD 25
- Opening hours: 7:00am to 6:00pm
- Time needed: 15 to 20 minutes
- Best time: Daytime
Getting there
In the Quadrangle in the central group of the ancient city.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to visit Hatadage?
- Covered by the Polonnaruwa ancient city ticket, around USD 25.
- What are the opening hours at Hatadage?
- 7:00am to 6:00pm.
- How long should I spend at Hatadage?
- Plan for 15 to 20 minutes.
- When is the best time to visit Hatadage?
- Daytime.
- How do I get to Hatadage?
- In the Quadrangle in the central group of the ancient city.