Stairs leading to Buddha statue in Vatadage, Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka - Stockfoto

An entrance of the Polonnaruwa Vatadage, Sri Lanka. The Polonnaruwa Vatadage, considered to be the 'ultimate development' of vatadage architecture, was built during the 12th century. Vatadages were usually constructed around stupas which were either built on hallowed ground or contained a relic of the Buddha or an object used by him. The Polonnaruwa Vatadage may have had the tooth relic of the Buddha enshrined within it. Polonnaruwa was the second capital of Sri Lanka after the destruction of Anuradhapura in 993. In 1982 the Ancient City of Polonnaruwa was added to the Unesco world heritage list.