The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, locally known as Sri Dalada Maligawa, is a historic Buddhist temple located beside Kandy Lake in the heart of Kandy, Sri Lanka.
The temple enshrines what Buddhists revere as the left canine tooth relic of Gautama Buddha. It is one of Sri Lanka’s most important religious and cultural landmarks, welcoming pilgrims, worshippers and travellers from around the world.
The temple stands within Kandy’s former royal palace complex and is central to the Sacred City of Kandy, which was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1988. Kandy was the last capital of Sri Lanka’s Sinhala kings before the kingdom came under British rule in 1815.
A visit to the Temple of the Tooth is not simply another sightseeing stop. It offers travellers an opportunity to experience Sri Lanka’s Buddhist traditions, royal history, architecture and living religious culture in one place.
The Sacred Tooth Relic is deeply significant to Buddhists because it is believed to be a physical relic of the Buddha.
For centuries, the relic was also closely connected to royal authority in Sri Lanka. The ruler who held guardianship of the Tooth Relic was traditionally regarded as having the right to govern the country. Because of this belief, successive kings protected the relic and constructed special shrines for it near their royal palaces.
As Sri Lanka’s capitals moved between cities such as Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Dambadeniya, Yapahuwa, Kurunegala, Kotte and Gampola, the relic was also moved for protection. Kandy eventually became its permanent home.
This history explains why the temple is both a place of worship and a symbol of Sri Lankan sovereignty, cultural identity and Buddhist heritage.
According to the historical tradition recorded by Sri Dalada Maligawa, the Sacred Tooth Relic was brought to Sri Lanka from the ancient kingdom of Kalinga in India during the fourth century.
Princess Hemamala and Prince Dantha are said to have carried the relic to Sri Lanka during the reign of King Kithsirimevan. Tradition states that Princess Hemamala concealed the relic in her hair to protect it during the journey.
After its arrival, the relic was placed under royal protection. It became one of the most carefully guarded sacred objects in the country and travelled with the royal court whenever Sri Lanka’s capital changed.
The story of the prince and princess carrying the relic to Sri Lanka remains an important part of the country’s religious and cultural history.
The first shrine constructed for the Tooth Relic in Kandy was built during the reign of King Wimaladharmasuriya I, who ruled from 1592 to 1604. That building was later destroyed during Portuguese invasions.
A second temple was constructed by King Rajasinghe II but was subsequently destroyed by fire during the Dutch period.
King Wimaladharmasuriya II later built another three-storey shrine. The two-storey structure that forms the historic centre of the present temple was constructed during the reign of King Sri Veera Parakrama Narendrasinghe in the early eighteenth century.
Later rulers renovated and beautified the temple. The famous octagonal pavilion, known as the Paththirippuwa, was added during the reign of King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe, the final king of the Kandyan Kingdom.
The result is not one building created at a single moment, but a historic complex shaped by several generations of Kandyan kings.
The Sinhala name Sri Dalada Maligawa can be understood as the palace or temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.
The use of the word “Maligawa”, meaning palace, reflects the way the relic is honoured. Within Sri Lankan Buddhist tradition, the relic is treated with the respect that would be given to the living Buddha.
This is why the temple follows carefully maintained daily ceremonies involving offerings, drumming, flowers, food and other rituals.
Visitors should not expect to see the actual tooth relic displayed openly.
The relic is protected inside a series of seven golden caskets in the temple’s inner shrine chamber, known as the Gandha Kuti or room of fragrance. During daily ceremonies, the doors to the shrine area are opened, allowing devotees and visitors to pay their respects to the casket containing the relic.
The actual relic is only exposed on exceptionally rare and highly significant occasions.
Even without seeing the relic directly, attending a ceremony can be a powerful cultural experience. The sound of traditional drums, the fragrance of flowers and incense, and the presence of worshippers create a deeply atmospheric setting.
The temple complex contains much more than the shrine holding the Sacred Tooth Relic.
The Main Shrine
The main two-storey shrine contains the chamber where the Sacred Tooth Relic is kept. Visitors pass through decorated entrances, painted corridors and spaces featuring traditional Kandyan artistic details.
The temple is known for its distinctive Kandyan architecture and for carvings and decorations created using materials such as gold, silver, bronze and ivory.
The Paththirippuwa
The Paththirippuwa is the temple’s recognisable octagonal pavilion.
It was originally created during the reign of Sri Lanka’s last king and later became associated with the temple complex. Its unusual shape, white exterior and red-tiled roof make it one of Kandy’s most photographed architectural landmarks.
The Temple Moat and Entrance
The white temple walls and decorative moat form an impressive approach to the complex. Buddhist flags, traditional gateways and the surrounding hills add to the distinctive character of the setting.
Security checks are conducted before visitors enter the temple grounds.
The Royal Palace Complex
The temple is situated beside buildings associated with the former Royal Palace of Kandy.
The wider area contains structures connected to the Kandyan monarchy, including the former royal palace and the historic audience hall. Together, these buildings help visitors understand the close relationship between the Tooth Relic and Sri Lanka’s kings.
Sri Dalada Museum
The Sri Dalada Museum contains historic documents, architectural plans, ceremonial objects, royal items and artefacts associated with the history of the temple.
Displays include information about the different locations where the relic was protected, items used in temple rituals and objects offered by rulers, devotees and foreign representatives.
International Buddhist Museum
The temple grounds also contain the International Buddhist Museum, which presents the development and spread of Buddhism in different countries.
Travellers interested in religion and history should allow additional time to explore the museums rather than rushing directly through the main shrine.
The daily ceremonial service at Sri Dalada Maligawa is known as the Thewawa.
According to the temple’s official visitor information, three main periods of worship take place each day:
Traditional drumming announces the beginning of the ceremony. Monks and temple officials conduct offerings while devotees gather near the shrine chamber with flowers.
The temple is currently open daily from 5.30 a.m. until 8.00 p.m., although visitors should check the official temple information before travelling because opening hours, ceremonies and entrance arrangements can change.
The evening ceremony is particularly atmospheric as the temple becomes illuminated and worshippers gather after sunset. However, it can also be one of the busiest times to visit.
The Kandy Esala Perahera, also called the Dalada Perahera, is the temple’s best-known annual festival.
The procession honours the Sacred Tooth Relic and combines Buddhist traditions with rituals connected to Kandy’s historic guardian devales. It features traditional dancers, drummers, torchbearers, ceremonial performers and richly decorated elephants.
The sacred relic itself is not carried through the streets. Instead, a ceremonial casket representing the relic is used in the procession.
The festival normally takes place during the Esala season, usually in July or August. It attracts large numbers of local worshippers and international visitors, so accommodation and transport should be organised well in advance.
Travellers visiting Kandy during the Perahera period can witness one of Sri Lanka’s most important cultural celebrations, but they should also prepare for crowds, road closures and higher demand for hotels.
Sri Dalada Maligawa is an active religious site, not simply a tourist attraction.
Visitors must dress respectfully. Shoulders and knees should be covered, and clothing that is sleeveless, very short or revealing may not be permitted.
Shoes, hats and caps must be removed before entering the temple. Footwear can be handed over at the designated reception booths outside the main religious area.
Visitors are also screened before entering, and bulky luggage or unnecessary items should be left at the appropriate counters. Plastic and polythene items should not be brought into the temple grounds.
Lightweight clothing that covers the shoulders and knees is the most practical choice. Wearing socks can also help visitors who are uncomfortable walking barefoot on warm stone surfaces.
Photography and Respectful Behaviour
Photography is permitted in many parts of the temple complex, but visitors should pay close attention to signs and instructions.
Avoid using flash during religious ceremonies, standing in the way of worshippers or taking intrusive photographs of people praying. Turning your back directly towards a Buddha image for a posed photograph is considered disrespectful.
Speak quietly, follow the movement of the crowd and remember that many people around you are visiting for worship rather than sightseeing.
Flowers can be purchased near the temple and offered respectfully at designated locations.
Early morning is often a good choice for travellers who prefer cooler weather and a quieter atmosphere.
The mid-morning ceremony can be convenient for visitors combining the temple with a Kandy city tour. The evening ceremony offers a more dramatic atmosphere with ceremonial drumming and temple lighting, but it can be crowded.
Allow at least one to two hours for the main temple. Travellers who also want to visit the museums and surrounding royal buildings should allocate more time.
Trying to complete the temple, Kandy Lake, the Royal Botanic Gardens and a cultural performance within a few hours will result in a rushed experience. A carefully organised Kandy itinerary is a better approach.
The Temple of the Tooth brings together many of the elements that make Kandy unique.
It is simultaneously:
Even travellers with limited knowledge of Buddhism can appreciate the temple’s architecture, rituals, royal history and cultural importance.
A knowledgeable guide can make the visit far more meaningful by explaining the purpose of the buildings, ceremonies and symbols that may otherwise be easy to miss.
Experience the Temple of the Tooth with Serentia Travels
Serentia Travels offers several Sri Lanka tour packages that include Kandy city experiences and opportunities to visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.
The Sri Lanka Discovery itinerary provides the most extensive Kandy experience among these packages.
The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is included in the Kandy programme, together with the Sri Dalada Museum, Kandy Lake, Bahirawakanda Buddha Statue, Royal Botanic Gardens, a Kandyan cultural performance, the Three Temples Loop and the Ceylon Tea Museum.
View the Sri Lanka Discovery tour
The Scenic Sri Lanka package begins with a Kandy city tour covering the lake, bazaars, traditional arts and crafts, and a gem museum.
A visit to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is available as an optional experience, together with the Royal Botanic Gardens and a Kandyan cultural dance show.
View the Scenic Sri Lanka tour
The Ramayana Trails itinerary connects sacred locations and culturally significant destinations across Sri Lanka.
Its Kandy programme includes a city tour and a traditional cultural performance, with the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic available as an optional visit.
The Glimpse of Sri Lanka package is designed for travellers who want to experience several of the island’s highlights within a shorter journey.
The Kandy programme covers the city, lake, bazaars, arts and crafts, and a gem museum. The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Royal Botanic Gardens and cultural dance show are offered as optional experiences.
View the Glimpse of Sri Lanka tour
The Honeymoon Escape in Kandy combines a relaxing nature-resort stay with a guided exploration of Kandy.
Couples can visit Kandy Lake, the city viewpoint, bazaars, arts and crafts centres, and a gem museum. The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and Royal Botanic Gardens are available as optional additions to the experience.
View the Honeymoon Escape in Kandy
Plan Your Kandy Journey
The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is more than Kandy’s most famous landmark. It is a living connection between Buddhism, Sri Lanka’s ancient kingdoms and the cultural traditions that continue to shape the country today.
Whether you are interested in spirituality, history, architecture or local culture, visiting Sri Dalada Maligawa can become one of the most meaningful experiences of your Sri Lankan holiday.
Explore Kandy with Serentia Travels and discover the Temple of the Tooth as part of a carefully planned journey through Sri Lanka’s cultural heart.