This is the oldest building in the Sacred Quadrangle. This may be identified as the Temple of the Tooth built by King Vijayabāhu the Great (1055-1110 AD). This was a two-storied building and in the upper floor were deposited the Sacred Tooth Relic and the Bowl Relic. The upper floor was probably made of timber and the roof had wooden beams and was covered with clay tiles. Near the building is an inscription in Tamil grantha script which says that the protection of the Sacred Tooth Relic had been entrusted to the Velaikkara soldiers who were the king’s private guards. Note: The grantha script evolved from Brahmi alphabet and was used since circa the 5th century by Tamil speakers of south India. Like its neighbor, the Hatedage, the Buddha statues in this shrine were placed on the lower level and the Sacred Tooth Relic on the upper level. The temple is described as a shrine of eight (ata) relics or one built in eight days. It is 22.86 meters in length and 13.71 meters at its widest breath.
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