The Hatadage is a 12th-century royal shrine whose very name boasts it was built in just sixty hours to safeguard Buddhism's most sacred object — the Tooth Relic of the Buddha.

Why visit Hatadage

• A Legendary Construction Time: The Hatadage's name, which means "relic shrine of sixty," may refer to how quickly it was built. According to historical sources and the Galpotha inscription, it was constructed in just sixty hours.
• Relic of the Tooth: This ancient shrine was built by King Nissanka Malla specifically to house the Relic of the tooth of the Buddha. This makes it an incredibly significant religious site.
• Three Granite Buddha Statues: The shrine's main chamber contains three standing Buddha statues carved from a single piece of granite. The central statue is the tallest at 9 feet, with the other two at 7.5 feet each.
• A Two-Story Wooden Structure: While only its stone and brick foundations remain, the Hatadage was originally a two-story building with a wooden superstructure and a tiled roof. A staircase once led to the now-destroyed upper floor.
• Facing Another Masterpiece: The Hatadage's main southern entrance, adorned with intricate stone carvings, directly faces the entrance of the Polonnaruwa Vatadage. This perfect alignment links two of the city's most important monuments.