Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa)
Sacred Relic of the Tooth
The Temple of the Tooth and the Buddhist Museum, Sri Dalada Maligawa, dates back to the 16th century, though most of the present buildings were built in the 19th century. Recognised as the most important object in the Buddhist world, the sacred relic of the tooth of Buddha is enshrined at the temple. Brought from India 2500 years ago, it is said that the possessor of the relic had the right to rule the country. The relic is kept in a gold casket and stored amidst great security in the Inner Chamber.
You can witness one of the most spectacular festivals in the world. The Kandy Esala Perahera is one of the oldest and most colourful festivals in Sri Lanka and Asia. The festival features awe-inspiring dancers; many jewel-encrusted elephants, traditional Kandyan costumes and a myriad of drummers with fire-breathers and musicians around the streets of Kandy. This yearly festival is held during the evenings of July –August for 10 days to honour the Tooth of the Buddha known as the Tooth Relic. The festival starts each day between 7- 8pm and lasts for 2 hours.
The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa)
The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, or Sri Dalada Maligawa, located in the royal palace complex of Kandy, stands as the most sacred Buddhist shrine in Sri Lanka and a global pilgrimage site. This temple is famed for housing a relic believed to be the left canine tooth of Gautama Buddha. Its paramount significance is not only spiritual but also political, as ancient tradition held that whoever possessed the relic held the divine right to rule the country, making it the ultimate symbol of Sri Lankan sovereignty. The entire complex, set against the backdrop of Kandy Lake, is a magnificent display of unique Kandyan architectural style, featuring intricate carvings, silver and ivory embellishments, and a distinctive golden roof over the main shrine.
The history of the sacred relic dates back to the 4th century CE when, according to legend, it was secretly brought to Sri Lanka from Kalinga, India, by Princess Hemamala and Prince Dantha, hidden within the princess’s hair. After changing hands and locations across various ancient Sinhalese capitals, the relic finally arrived in Kandy in the late 16th century. The present structure was primarily built during the reign of King Kirthi Sri Rajasinghe in the 18th century, with the iconic octagonal pavilion, the Paththirippuwa, added later by King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe. The temple and the surrounding Sacred City of Kandy were collectively designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988.
Religious life at the temple revolves around three daily Pujas (offerings and ceremonies) performed by Buddhist monks at dawn, noon, and in the evening to pay homage to the relic. The relic itself is never on public display; instead, it is secured within a series of seven ornate, nested golden caskets, which rest on a solid gold lotus flower inside the two-story inner shrine. The temple is also the focal point of the spectacular Kandy Esala Perahera, an annual 10-day festival held in July or August, featuring a grand procession of traditional dancers, drummers, and elaborately decorated elephants, which is one of the largest Buddhist celebrations in the world. Visitors can also explore the adjacent Sri Dalada Museum which houses historical artifacts and documents related to the relic.
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Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa)