Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
Central Province
About Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
The Sri Dalada Maligawa is the spiritual centre of gravity of Sri Lanka: within its golden-roofed shrine, behind seven nested caskets, rests the left canine tooth of the Buddha - carried to the island in the 4th century hidden in a princess's hair, and so bound up with sovereignty that whoever held the relic held the right to rule. The temple as it stands, wrapped in a moat and white walls beside Kandy Lake, is the last royal shrine of the last kingdom, its octagonal Paththirippuwa tower, carved stone, ivory, and lacquered ceilings the finest ensemble of Kandyan craft anywhere. Three times daily, drummers and horn players announce the puja as pilgrims stream past the relic chamber's open doors; each August the Esala Perahera parades the relic's casket through the streets on a tusker's back in Asia's grandest procession. Crowded, solemn, and utterly essential.
Top Activities
- ✓The relic chamber at puja times
- ✓Kandyan drumming ceremonies
- ✓The Paththirippuwa octagon and royal complex
- ✓Sri Dalada Museum
- ✓Esala Perahera (August)
Nearby Attractions
Travel Tips
Attend the 6.30am or 6.30pm puja for the full drumming ritual.
Strict dress code: legs and shoulders covered, shoes and hats off.
Allow queue time in season - the relic chamber corridor bottlenecks.
Quick Info
Best Time
Year-round; August for the Esala Perahera
Weather
Mild Kandyan climate; puja times are busy regardless of season.
Estimated Daily Budget
7.2936°N, 80.6413°E
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