Atadage | Temple of the Tooth Relic of Vijayabahu I

Atadage | Temple of the Tooth Relic of Vijayabahu I

Atadage is a ruined relic shrine located on the premises of the Sacred Quadrangle ( Puja Chaturasraya  or  Dalada Maluwa ) in the  Ancient City of Polonnaruwa , Sri Lanka.  History This structure has been identified as the Temple of the Tooth Relic constructed by King Vijayabahu I [(1055-1110 A.D.)  Chutiwongs et al., 2007;  Jayasuriya, 2016; Ray, 1960]. The sacred  Tooth Relic and the Bowl Relic of Buddha  are believed to have been deposited on the upper floor of this building ( Chutiwongs et al., 2007;  Jayasuriya, 2016). As mentioned in the nearby  Velaikkara Tamil Inscription , the crystal eyeballs of the Buddha statue which was on the ground floor of this building have been annually removed and anointed with corrylium ( Chutiwongs et al., 2007 ). The structure Atadage is considered the oldest building located in the Sacred Quadrangle. The building is square in shape and an oblong vestibule projects from the front side which faces to south direction. Approximately the structure is 22.5 m in length a…