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Dalada Maluwa at Kingdom of Polonnaruwa (දළදා මලුව)

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Block of stone at the entrance to the Dalada Maluwa

The Dalada Maluwa, also known as the Sacred Quadrangle or the Terrace of the Tooth Relic, is an elevated area in Polonnaruwa that formed the spiritual nucleus of the medieval capital. Situated just north of the royal citadel, it was established as a protected sanctuary for the kingdom’s most venerated objects—the Tooth Relic and the Bowl Relic of the Buddha.

Origin and Purpose

The Dalada Maluwa was established as a secure and centralized space for the veneration and safeguarding of the Tooth Relic, a symbol indispensable to the legitimacy of the Sinhalese monarchy. King Vijayabāhu I (1055–1110 CE) is credited with initiating the development of the site following his expulsion of the Colas from the Polonnaruwa Kingdom. Subsequent rulers, notably Parākramabāhu the Great and Nissankamalla, enlarged and adorned the precinct, shaping it into its definitive architectural form.

The complex functioned as a restricted sanctuary primarily for the royal household and the monastic community, with only limited access granted to the general public (Dhammika, 2008/2018).

Entrance and Symbolism

Access to the Dalada Maluwa is gained by a flight of stone steps on the western side. To the left of these steps lies a carved stone slab depicting three figures: a man gesturing toward the Dalada Maluwa, a crow, and a dog. According to traditional interpretation, this relief served as a warning to worshippers that anyone who desecrated the sacred precinct would be reborn as a crow or a dog.

Key Monuments within the Dalada Maluwa

Hetadage of Nissanga Malla (1187-1196)
Atadage of King Vijayabahu I (1070-1110)
Vatadage (The Stupa House)
Image of Boddhisathwa
Thuparama
Oth-pilimaya
Galpotha (Stone book)
Sathmahal Pasada (Seven-storied building)
Nissanka Latha Mandapaya

References

Dhammika, B. S. (2018). Sacred Island: A Buddhist Pilgrim’s Guide to Sri Lanka (1st ed.). Buddhist Publication Society. (Original work published 2008)
Prematilleke, L. (1990). The Architecture of the Polonnaruwa Period, 800 B.C. — 1200 A.D. In N. De Silva (Ed.), Archaeological Department Centenary (1890-1990): Commemorative Series : Volume Three : Architecture (1st ed., Vols. 3–4, pp. 35–70). Department of Archaeology, Sri Lanka.

Also See

Dalada Maluwa at Kingdom of Polonnaruwa

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Driving Directions to Polonnaruwa Sacred City

The modern town of Polonnaruwa is also known as New Town, and the other part of Polonnaruwa remains the ancient royal city of the Kingdom of Polonnaruwa.

Route from Colombo to Polonnaruwa Sacred City	Route from Kandy to Polonnaruwa Sacred City
Through: Central Highway—Kurunegala—Dambulla Distance from Colombo: 230 km Travel Time: 5 hours Driving Directions: See on Google Maps.	Through: Maradankadawala–Habarana Distance: 103 km Travel Time: 2 hours Driving Directions: see on Google Maps.
Route from Anuradhapura to Polonnaruwa Sacred City	Route from Batticaloa to Polonnaruwa Sacred City
Through: Maradankadawala–Habarana Distance: 103 km Travel Time: 2 hours Driving Directions: See on Google Maps.	Through: Maradankadawala–Habarana Distance: 103 km Travel Time : 2 hours Driving Directions: see on Google Maps.

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