Why Should You Visit the Temple of the Tooth
The center of attraction in Kandy is “Sri Dalanda Maligawa” or the Temple of the Tooth Relic. This ancient temple was built to house the relic of the Tooth of Lord Buddhah during the early part of the 18th century.
This temple is the most renowned place of worship for the Buddhists of Sri Lanka and all over the world. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The Temple of Tooth Relic is not only a place of worship for the Buddhists. It is a very famous tourist attraction in Kandy, Sri Lanka for its historical, cultural and architectural value. This valuable treasure was considered the palladium of kings of Sri Lanka and hence bears a significant historical value.
The temple has been built in the Kandyan architectural style, finely combined with the unique design of shrines which enshrined the sacred tooth over the history.
Above all, if you value the presence of nature in its true beauty amidst the man made cities, you will love a visit to the Temple of the Tooth. The temple is situated in the center of the beautiful Kandy city and adjacent to the ancient royal palace of the Kings of Kandy Kingdom to its North while the forest reservation; Udawaththakele, is seen as its backdrop.
On your pathway to enter the gates you will see the beautiful Kandy Lake on your right while several shrines dedicated for Hindu Gods are located on your left.
The mild breeze that sweeps through the lake makes your stroll towards the shrine a peaceful one. Whether you are a Buddhist or not, your visit to the temple would be a peaceful and soulful experience which you should not miss on your trip to Sri Lanka.
The Details of the Temple Complex
A visit to this sacred shrine is a culturally enriching experience. You will be able to witness the Kandyan art forms, paintings and architecture here. The columns of the pavilions are carved with beautiful wood carvings of Kandyan style.
The ceiling and the walls of the pathway to the main chamber are beautified with Kandyan style paintings. The colourful paintings are unique in their style and colour combinations from those found in other areas of the country.
You will find the sacred Tooth kept in a two story shrine in the middle of the temple complex. The door to the chamber is carved in ivory. The Tooth Relic is covered with a golden canopy and there is a set of elephant tusks kept in the front.
The sacred Tooth is encased in a set of seven caskets made of gold and embedded with precious gems. The devotees gather in the space provided in the front where flowers are offered and people pay homage and worship.
In the lower floor of the shrine you will find many magnificent statues of Gauthama Buddha and beautiful paintings that showcase the important events in the history of the Tooth Relic and the Temple of the Tooth.
“Paththirippuwa”; the Octagonal Pavilion which is a small tower appearing at the front which takes the shape of an octagon gives a unique appearance to the temple complex. This is the place where valuable palm-leaf manuscripts of Dhamma, Buddhism are preserved.
Shrines dedicated to Hindu Gods
Within the temple premises, towards your left from the main entrance, there are four small shrines dedicated for Hindu Gods namely “Natha”, “Vishnu”, “Katharagama” and “Paththini” and a considerable space is allotted for the devotees there.
There is a time to do the offerings in these shrines and usually it is around 5 am in the morning, 10.30 am during the midday and around 6.00 p.m. in the evening.
Not only the Hindu devotees but the Buddhists also worship Hindu Gods and it has been a part and parcel in Sri Lankan culture.
It is said that the Kings of the ancient Kandyan Kingdom used to have queens of Indian origin and it is with them the devotion to Hindu Gods has been spread and established in Kandy and particularly the shrines for Gods within the premises of the Temple of the Tooth Relic.
The Bodhi Tree - Wel Bodhiya
There is also a huge Bodhi tree namely “Wel Bodhiya” in front of the shrine of God “Natha”. The belief among the folks is that if you are without children and wish to have kids, your wishes may come true if you pray at this religious Bodhiya.
The Ancient Royal Palace
The Archeological Museum of Kandy is situated in part of the ancient Royal Palace of Kandy which is located to the North of the Temple of the Tooth. This museum showcases the items found at the archeological sites in the region of Kandy. You can witness several ancient artifacts of aesthetic value such as the statutes of Lord Buddha and Hindu Gods, ancient Kandyan tools and equipment made out of wood, metal and stones, paintings and many other monuments. You can purchase printed publications and souvenirs here.
The Museum of the elephant “Raja”
This museum houses a replica of the elephant Raja which is made using its real skin after its death. This replica is made in honour of its service to the Maligawa Perahera; procession for a period of over 50 years. This museum of Elephant Raja is located in between the Temple and the ancient Royal Palace.
Best time to V isit
If you visit the temple around 6 am in the morning, you will be able to witness the “Theva” rituals and the religious services conducted daily with much reverence.
The traditional sound offerings are also accompanied along with the religious services. It is a remarkably unique cultural showcase of traditional Kandyan drums and musical instruments.
The religious services are offered three times a day. Morning, Midday and Evening services. As announced by the Maligawa Authorities, the Theva Time Table is as follows.
Morning Service 5.30 a.m. - 7.00 a.m. Midday Service 9.30 a.m - 11.00 a.m. Evening Service 6.30 p.m - 8.00 p.m.If you are a nature lover, you will love the early morning scenery and the feeling in and around the Temple grounds. You will enjoy the sounds of birds and catch a magnificent view of the Temple of the Tooth Relic and its surroundings amidst the morning mists.
In the evening it gives a different experience with the lighting arrangements of the temple. You can also hear the continuous flow of musical sounds of birds and bats as night falls around the temple grounds and the lake.
Entrance Fee
There is an entrance fee for the foreign tourists which you will find fair and justified for the unique experience you would get in your visit to the Temple. However, the fund developed with the fees and donations are dedicated for Buddhist religious and CSR programmes and donations for the needy all over the country.
Parking Facilities
There is no allocated parking slot for the visitors at the temple. You will have to park your vehicles at the nearby Kandy Municipal Council park and walk to the temple. Since it is in very close proximity, you won’t find it inconvenient at all.
Tips for your Visit
The sacred Tooth relic is considered with immense reverence as the living Lord Buddha, hence the visitors are expected to enjoy their visit with utmost respect to its religious value.
It is advisable to wear appropriate attire on your visit, that covers your shoulders and knees. You will have to leave your shoes at the counter before you enter the main entrance. When you take pictures, be mindful as to not to turn your back to the Buddha Statue since it is considered disrespectful.
During the Poya days and public holidays there is quite a crowd queuing to join the morning prayers. If you wish to have a peaceful visit, you better avoid the Poya days and public holidays.
Once the temple visit is done, you can also enjoy a stroll around the lake and enjoy the serene atmosphere. You can also reach the Kandy Viewpoint for an amazing city view and the view of the beautiful lake from above.
Historical Background
The Sacred Tooth of Buddha is considered the greatest religious treasure of Sri Lanka. The Sacred Tooth of Buddha was in the possession of King Guhaseeva of Kalinga, India during the 4th century CE. It was King Guhaseeva who sent the Sacred Tooth to Sri Lanka during the time of King Kirthi Sri Meghavarna of Sri Lanka.
According to the legend, it was King Guhaseeva’s daughter princess Hemamla and her husband prince Dantha who took it to safety during the time of invasions happening in Kalinga and it said that princess Hemamala hid the Sacred Tooth in her hair to safeguard it from the enemy in her travel to Sri Lanka. The following picture is a famous painting which demonstrates this incident.
With time, the Sacred Tooth of Buddha became the symbol of legitimacy to rule in Sri Lanka. First it was enshrined in the palace of King Kirthi Sri Meghavarna in the Kingdom of Anuradhapura and finally to the kingdom of Kandy during the period of King Vimaladharmasuriya I in the 17th century where the temple of tooth was built in the current location. In between, the relic was shifted to several shrines as and when the kingdom shifted from Anuradhapura to Polonnaruwa, Dambadeniya, Yapahuwa, Kurunegala, Kotte, Gampola and finally to Kandy. The current temple was built by King Vira Narendrasinghe during the 18th century and was later modified and improved by several kings over time.
Kandy Esala Perahera
Kandy Esala perahera is held once a year in July or August to pay homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic and a replica of the Sacred Tooth is showcased in the procession where over one million of locals together with foreign tourists gather in the streets of Kandy city to witness this glamourous cultural show.