See the World | Sri Lanka's Kandy Temple of the Tooth Relic
Travel Guide Scenic Area Overview After the decline of ancient Indian Buddhism, Sri Lanka became the center of Theravada Buddhism, and Kandy is a sacred place in the hearts of the Sinhalese. This is because it houses the Buddha's tooth relic, giving the temple its name—the Temple of the Tooth Relic.😁 Also known as "Dālada Maligawa," the temple was founded in 1595. According to records, after the Buddha's parinirvana, his disciples such as Ananda retrieved four tooth relics from the ashes. One was taken by Indra, another by the Dragon Palace, and the remaining two stayed in the human world. One of these is in Badachu, Beijing, and the other resides here.🤣 Perched on the shores of Kandy Lake, the temple is grand in scale. The entrance is on the west side, with two floors housing the main hall, drum hall, long hall, chanting hall, treasure vault, and inner shrine. The second-floor inner shrine enshrines the national treasure—the Buddha's tooth relic.😊 It is nested within seven layers of golden stupas, each containing treasures donated by countries worldwide. One small stupa is topped with a diamond; inside lies a golden lotus, and at its center, a jade ring holds the sacred tooth relic. 🙏 Esala Perahera (Tooth Relic Festival) Kandy's Esala Perahera is Sri Lanka's grandest Buddhist festival, held every July and August. Elephants adorned in elaborate costumes 🐘 parade under the leadership of Maligawa Tusker (named after the last king of Kandy's elephant). From trunk to foot, the elephants are draped in embroidered fabrics, carrying huge canopies beneath which the sacred tooth relic is displayed. They parade through Kandy, sharing the relic's blessings with all. 📍 Address Sri Dalada Veediya, Kandy 🕔 Opening Hours Temple: 5:30-20:00 Worship times: 5:30-6:45, 9:30-11:00, 18:30-20:00 Temple of the Tooth Museum: 7:30-18:00 World Buddhist Museum: 8:00-19:00 🎫 Ticket Prices Locals: Free Foreigners (Malaysia, Thailand): 1000 rupees Other foreigners: 1500 rupees Children: Free Prices include museum access. (🚗) Transportation Kandy is small—if you're in the city center, it's a 10-minute walk. Buses stop at Maligawa Station, or take a Tuk-Tuk (remember to bargain!). (📸) Photography Tips When we visited, photography was free, but recent guides note a 300 rupee fee. Respect etiquette: the sacred tooth relic cannot be photographed. Feel free to take photos of locals, though—it's one of the joys of visiting Sri Lanka! (👔) Dress Code Men: No shorts. Women: No skirts; avoid exposing the back or midriff. A sari is an excellent choice for women. #Kandy #KandyTravel #KandyTravelGuide #TempleOfTheTooth #ToothRelicTemplePhotography #Travel #Journey #Temple
