“This temple holds what is believed to be a tooth of the Buddha, and tradition says whoever possesses it holds the right to rule Sri Lanka.”
About Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
The sacred tooth relic is said to have reached Sri Lanka in the 4th century, hidden in a princess's hair. Because owning it conferred the right to rule, successive kings guarded it and built temples for it as their capitals moved. The present temple in Kandy was built largely in the 17th and 18th centuries beside the royal palace, the relic's final home after the kingdom's earlier capitals fell.
The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, or
Sri Dalada Maligawa, in Kandy is the most sacred Buddhist site in Sri Lanka, a golden-roofed temple complex beside Kandy Lake that houses a relic believed to be a tooth of the Buddha himself. It is the spiritual heart of the island and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Sri Dalada Maligawa, in Kandy is the most sacred Buddhist site in Sri Lanka, a golden-roofed temple complex beside Kandy Lake that houses a relic believed to be a tooth of the Buddha himself.
Whoever Holds the Tooth Holds the Throne
For centuries the sacred tooth has been more than a religious object; it has been a symbol of sovereignty. Tradition holds that whoever possesses the relic holds the right to rule the island, so Sri Lanka's kings kept it close, moving it from capital to capital and building grand temples to house it. The relic finally came to rest in Kandy, the last royal capital, where it remains the focus of devotion and the great Esala Perahera festival.
The Experience
Stepping into a richly decorated complex of carved wood, ivory and gold, joining streams of white-clad pilgrims bearing lotus flowers. The relic itself is kept within a series of nested golden caskets in an inner shrine, revealed only during daily ceremonies announced by drumming. The devotion, the scent of flowers and the ritual drumming make a visit deeply atmospheric, even for non-Buddhists.
Why It Matters
As the home of the most venerated Buddhist relic in Sri Lanka and a former emblem of royal legitimacy, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth is the island's holiest site and a centre of national and religious identity. Its grand Esala Perahera procession is one of Asia's most spectacular festivals.
Its grand Esala Perahera procession is one of Asia's most spectacular festivals.
Why Visit
Sri Lanka's holiest Buddhist temple, home to a relic believed to be the Buddha's tooth and long a symbol of the right to rule the island, in the royal city of Kandy.
✦ Insider Tips
- 1
Dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees, and remove shoes.
- 2
Time your visit for a puja ceremony, when the inner shrine opens.
- 3
If you can, come during the Esala Perahera festival in July or August.
- 4
Expect crowds of pilgrims; arrive early for a calmer visit.
