Sri Lanka: Monks in front of the Vatadage (circular relic house), Polonnaruwa. Vatadage is a type of Buddhist structure found in Sri Lanka. It is also known as a dage, thupagara, and cetiyagara. Vatadages were built around small stupas for their protection, which often enshrined a relic or were built on hallowed ground. Polonnaruwa, the second most ancient of Sri Lanka's kingdoms, was first declared the capital city by King Vijayabahu I, who defeated the Chola invaders in 1070 CE to reunite the country under a national leader.

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Photo credit: © Pictures From History / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
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