The Tooth Temple (Sri Dalada Maligawa): Complete Kandy Visitor Guide
The Tooth Temple, revered locally as Sri Dalada Maligawa and globally celebrated as the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, is the supreme spiritual sanctuary of Sri Lanka. Situated serenely along the tranquil banks of Kandy Lake within the ancient royal palace compound, the temple was recognized as a cornerstone of the Sacred City of Kandy UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988.
Enshrining the left canine tooth relic of Gautama Buddha, The Tooth Temple represents far more than an ancient pilgrimage center: for over two millennia, whoever held custody of this sacred relic was believed to hold the divine right to rule the island. Today, the complex remains an active, pulsing center of living Buddhist veneration, captivating international travelers with its golden canopy roof, intricate timber and stone craftsmanship, evocative drumming rituals, and fragrant lotus offerings.
The Sacred Journey of the Relic to The Tooth Temple
Following the Parinirvana (passing away) and cremation of Gautama Buddha in 543 BCE in Kushinagar, India, his left canine tooth was retrieved from the funeral pyre by Arahat Khema. In the 4th century CE, amidst religious conflicts in Kalinga, King Guhasiva entrusted his daughter, Princess Hemamala, and her husband, Prince Dantha, to smuggle the sacred tooth to Sri Lanka. Disguised as ascetics with the relic hidden safely within the princess’s elaborate hair bun, they arrived safely in Lanka, ultimately establishing The Tooth Temple in Kandy as its eternal royal sanctuary.
Architectural Splendors of The Tooth Temple Complex
Exploring The Tooth Temple reveals the finest surviving craftsmanship of the late medieval Kandyan kingdom, featuring carved granite colonnades, painted timber ceilings, polished brass fittings, and ivory archways:
- The Octagonal Pavilion (Paththirippuwa): Built by the last king of Kandy, Sri Wickrama Rajasinha, in the early 19th century, this iconic white two-story octagonal tower overlooks the temple moat and Kandy Lake. Historically used by the king to address his subjects on festival days, it now houses rare ancient ola-leaf Buddhist manuscripts.
- The Golden Canopy (Ran Viyana): Commissioned in 1987, a monumental roof of solid gilded copper and brass crowns the inner two-story shrine (Vadahitina Maligawa) of The Tooth Temple. Below this golden glow rests the inner chamber containing the sacred relic.
- The Hewisi Mandapaya (Drummers' Pavilion): The central pillared hall where temple musicians dressed in traditional ceremonial white tunics and red sashes perform the thunderous rhythmic drumming (Hewisi) that accompanies every daily puja offering.
- Aluth Maligawa (New Palace Wing): A grand multi-tiered annex constructed behind the ancient sanctum displaying over 20 large narrative oil paintings detailing the history of the Sacred Tooth Relic, alongside golden Buddha statues gifted by Buddhist nations across Asia.
- The Royal Audience Hall (Magul Maduwa): An open wooden pavilion featuring 64 intricately carved timber columns adorned with lotus capitals, representing the finest surviving example of Kandyan royal carpentry. It was here that the historic Kandyan Convention was signed in 1815.
Daily Thewawa (Puja) Timetable at The Tooth Temple
To experience the spiritual energy of The Tooth Temple at its peak, plan your visit to coincide with the traditional daily ritual offerings (Thewawa) conducted by senior monks of the Malwathu and Asgiri chapters:
| Daily Ceremony | Time Schedule | Ritual Highlights & Visitor Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Morning Puja (Aluyam Duraya) | 5:30 AM – 7:00 AM | The quietest, most atmospheric puja at The Tooth Temple. The inner chamber doors open to rhythmic drumming as monks present the morning milk rice (Kiri Ahara) offering. |
| Midday Puja (Maha Danaya) | 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM | The grandest daily offering featuring full hewisi drummers, horn blowers, and long queues of pilgrims offering fragrant frangipani and lotus flowers. |
| Evening Puja (Handa Duraya) | 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM | The temple courtyard glows with hundreds of flickering coconut oil brass lamps. Devotees gather for evening chanting under the illuminated golden canopy. |
The Kandy Esala Perahera Connection
Each July or August, The Tooth Temple serves as the epicenter for Asia's most spectacular Buddhist pageant, the Kandy Esala Perahera:
- The Sacred Casket Procession: While the tooth relic itself remains securely in the inner sanctum, a replica of the sacred casket is carried atop the back of the majestically caparisoned Maligawa Tusker elephant through the streets of Kandy for ten consecutive nights.
- Living Heritage: Over 100 decorated elephants, hundreds of whip-crackers, fire jugglers, and virtuoso Kandyan dancers perform in reverent devotion to The Tooth Temple, concluding with the sacred water-cutting ceremony at the Mahaweli River.
Visitor Dress Code & Etiquette for The Tooth Temple
- Strict Dress Code: Both shoulders and knees must be fully covered (no sleeveless shirts, tank tops, shorts, or short skirts) when entering The Tooth Temple. Wearing white or light-colored clothing is deeply appreciated and harmonizes with local devotees.
- Shoe Depository: Shoes, sandals, and hats must be removed before crossing the bridge into the inner temple complex and deposited at the authorized footwear desk (a nominal gratuity of 100 LKR is customary).
- Purchase Fresh Flowers: Stalls along the lake promenade sell fresh purple water lilies, white jasmine, and lotus blossoms. Buying a tray of flowers to offer at the upper altar of The Tooth Temple is a deeply moving cultural experience.
- Respectful Photography: Photography is permitted within the courtyards and Aluth Maligawa, but flash photography is prohibited. Never take selfies with your back turned to a Buddha statue or the relic casket.
Discover Kandy's Royal Heritage with Sri Lanka Eden Travels
Experience the sacred grandeur of The Tooth Temple with the local specialists at Sri Lanka Eden Travels. From arranging licensed cultural guides and reserving prime VIP seats for the Kandy Esala Perahera to private chauffeur-driven hill country tours, we ensure your journey is seamless, enlightening, and deeply memorable.
