Overview
The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic — Sri Dalada Maligawa in Sinhala — is the most sacred Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka and one of the holiest shrines in the entire Buddhist world. Located within the royal palace complex of the former Kandyan Kingdom on the shores of Kandy Lake, the temple houses the relic of the left canine tooth of Siddhartha Gautama, said to have been brought from India to Sri Lanka in the 4th century CE hidden in the hair of a princess. Whoever possesses the tooth relic holds the right to govern Sri Lanka — it was the symbolic key to political legitimacy for over fifteen centuries of Kandyan kings. The temple complex is a masterwork of Kandyan architecture with gilded rooftops, intricately carved woodwork, painted doorways, and the constant fragrance of incense and offerings. Three puja (worship) ceremonies are conducted daily, drawing pilgrims from across the Buddhist world. The annual Esala Perahera — a ten-day procession of over 100 elephants through Kandy’s streets — takes place in July or August and is one of the grandest festivals in Asia.
Highlights
- The most sacred Buddhist relic site in the world outside India
- Exquisite Kandyan-era architecture — gilded rooftops and carved doorways
- Three daily puja ceremonies with drumming, flute, and incense
- The golden casket housing the tooth relic is only opened on ceremonial occasions
- Annual Esala Perahera — Asia’s most spectacular elephant procession
- UNESCO World Heritage Site inscription as part of the Sacred City of Kandy
- Museum of sacred items including ivory tusks, royal gifts, and relics
- Location within the royal palace complex overlooking Kandy Lake
Best Time to Visit
Year-round for worship and visits. July–August for the Esala Perahera festival. Morning puja (6:30am) is the most atmospheric.
Activities
- Attending the three daily puja ceremonies
- Temple museum exploration
- Photography of the exterior architecture and surroundings
- Witnessing the Esala Perahera festival (July–August)
- Walking the inner chambers and offering areas
Suitable For
Buddhist pilgrims, culture enthusiasts, architecture lovers, spiritual seekers, all visitors to Kandy
Nearby Attractions
- Kandy Lake (adjacent)
- Udawattakele Forest Reserve (10 min walk)
- National Museum of Kandy (5 min walk)
- Wales Park / Royal Palace Park (5 min walk)
- Kandy City Centre (5 min walk)
Travel Tips
- Dress code is strictly enforced — white clothing is preferred; sarongs available for hire
- Remove shoes at the entrance; shoe storage is provided
- Photography inside the relic chamber is restricted — check current rules
- Arrive 30 minutes early for puja ceremonies to find a good position
- The Esala Perahera requires viewing spots to be booked weeks in advance
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