Joanna James
When it comes to the ancient histories of the world, people would be hard-pressed to find any other nation with as many ancient cities, relics and temples crammed into one landmass as in Sri Lanka. This is mainly due to a long-spanning history of kingdoms on this small island, and there is just so much to be explored.
Located in the middle of the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, this Vatadage is found in the Dalada Maluwa area of the ruins. It is a part of the classical Buddhist architectures that were commonplace during a now bygone era of great kings. For those visiting these structures for the first time, it may seem almost as if this could not have been created by an ancient civilization. However, the reality is that the humans of the past were more than able to build structures such as this out of their own ingenuity and use of labour.
At present there are about 10 of these structures on the island, however, the one in Polonnaruwa is most certainly the most famous.
During the final tenure of Sri Lanka's last king, their abode was the palace that was designed and built in the city of Kandy. Perched upon those cloudy hills, the kings gave their orders as they tried to hold off various colonial forces. During this period, there is believed to have been a tooth of the Buddha that was brought into the island in order to help preserve it.
In order to hold this valuable relic, the temple of the tooth was built. It currently holds this tooth in a golden chamber within this wing of the palace. This location has also been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to the massive spiritual and societal value it holds.
Another marvel of design and architecture, this rock was in fact a palace that once belonged to the king of Sri Lanka. It was developed with the intention of acting as a strategically placed fortress that would allow the king to ward off enemies due to the massive advantage it offered as a vantage point.
It is also believed that the king carved a façade of a lion onto the rock to frighten off encroachers as well, however, it is more likely the king's reputation for cruelty may have contributed to the general sense of fear.
Another wonder of the ancient world in Sri Lanka, this temple was discovered in what can only be described as a crevice in a large rock. The crevice offered protection from the sun and also has allowed for the creation of stunning frescoes that cover the walls of the rock.
This is a stunning pilgrimage that any visitor must embark upon. If you are staying at any of the luxury resorts in Sri Lanka such as the Heritance Hotels, be sure to inquire as to how this journey is best tackled.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
