Kandy's Temple of the Tooth Relic
📍 Sri Lanka, a land where Eastern and Western cultures have intertwined for over 2,000 years. Home to more than 5,000 temples, it stands as a hub of Theravada Buddhism. With a population of over 20 million, 70% are Sinhalese, most of whom practice Buddhism. 📍 Kandy—the second-largest city in Sri Lanka, and the last capital of the Sinhalese kingdom in the 16th century. The ancient capital may have faded from memory, but the Temple of the Tooth Relic remains a living, breathing continuation of its legacy.❤️ By night, the Temple of the Tooth Relic becomes a sanctuary for plants and animals. Strolling along the moat in a light drizzle, the air filled with the scent of damp earth and jasmine, there’s a serene comfort in the quiet—only the rustle of leaves and distant calls of night birds breaking the stillness.😁 By morning, the temple’s flower stalls burst to life like a flowing feast. Vendors arrange lotus buds and water lilies in vibrant piles, their petals glistening with dew. The atmosphere hums with the gentle chaos of devotees selecting offerings—whispers of prayer mixing with the clink of coins, a quiet buzz that can’t be dampened by the temple’s inherent tranquility.👌 🔆 Our driver helped find a guide at the temple entrance. The upside? They knew all the shortcuts, weaving through crowds with impressive skill to save us time. The downside? It turned the visit into a whirlwind—rushing from one spot to the next, leaving little room to pause and absorb the moment.😁 🔆 The entire temple grounds require visitors to remove their shoes, which must be stored. Fair warning: the stone floors can be scorching under the sun or rough underfoot—bring a pair of thin socks to spare your feet. 🔆 The temple enshrines the Sacred Tooth Relic of Buddha, housed within a seven-tiered golden pagoda adorned with 585 sapphires and 775 pearls. Each year, it takes center stage in the 10-day Esala Perahera, a grand procession where the relic is carried on the back of the “king elephant” through Kandy’s streets, 💕 accompanied by drummers, dancers, and pilgrims in a riot of color and sound. According to celestial signs, the relic is revealed to the public once every few years, for a mere six hours—a rare and revered event. #Kandytime#Kandylove#Kandy#SriLanka #WhereToGoInOctober
