Temple of the Tooth

Snapshot

A sacred tooth relic of the Lord Buddha was brought to Sri Lanka in 4th Century A.D. and was enshrined within the Dalanda Maligawa, or the Temple of the Tooth. This sacred relic has ever since been the symbol of sovereignty for the Sinhalese kings and always enshrined in great splendor. Kandy’s Dalada Maligawa is a magnificent shrine, with decorative walls, golden roof and fine woodwork and its 16th to 19th century ambience still vividly alive. Religious services, poojas, are held daily at dawn, mid-day and in the evening and can be viewed by visitors. The services are accompanied with traditional music and drumming. Although the tooth relic cannot be seen within the temple as it is securely enshrined within, on the Esala full moon day of July/August each year, the sacred tooth relic, encased in a golden casket, is taken in procession or perahera on the back of the temple elephant through Kandy’s streets for all to see.