Sri Dalada Maligawa, better known as the Temple of the Sacred Tooth, enshrines one of Buddhism's most venerated relics: a canine tooth attributed to Gautama Buddha. Built within the complex of Kandy's former royal palace, the sanctuary is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List and remains an active place of worship at the heart of Sinhalese identity.

Why visit the Tooth Temple

The Tooth Temple brings together three dimensions rarely found in a single site: religious, political and architectural. According to Sinhalese tradition, whoever possesses the relic holds the power to govern the country — a belief that made the temple a major issue in the island's history. A visit allows you to observe a functioning Buddhist sanctuary, understand late Kandyan art and experience the daily rituals (pujas) followed by the faithful.

The site is part of a larger complex comprising a museum, royal gardens, the Mahamaluwa esplanade, meditation spaces and Kandy Lake, making it one of the essential anchors of a stay in the country's cultural capital.

History of Sri Dalada Maligawa

According to legend, the relic was taken by the monk Khema during Buddha's funeral rites — his upper left canine tooth. Brought to Sri Lanka, it followed the movements of successive royal capitals before being housed in Kandy.

The current temple was built in the late seventeenth century, after the royal capital was transferred to the city. Over the centuries, it has endured several offensives: Portuguese and Dutch raids during the colonial period, conflicts with Tamil Hindu forces, and more recently, a bomb attack by the LTTE in 1998, whose traces have since been restored. Despite these trials, the relic has always been preserved, making the sanctuary a symbol of Sinhalese continuity and pride.

What to see on site

The wave wall and Mahawahalkada entrance

The complex is surrounded by moats connected to Bogambara Lake. Along this complex runs the wave wall, made of bricks, pierced with small holes designed to hold coconut oil lamps during ceremonies. The main entrance, the Mahawahalkada, overlooks the moats and marks the passage to the sanctuary.

Sandakada pahana and access staircase

At the foot of the steps is a sandakada pahana, a moonstone sculpture in pure Kandyan style. At the top of the staircase, a Makara Torana (ornamental arch) and two guardian stones frame the passage, accompanied by sculptures of elephants on the sides.

The Hewisi drum hall

The main sanctuary opens onto the Hewisi Mandapaya, a drum hall that marks the rhythm of pujas. It is divided into two levels: the Palle malaya (lower floor) and the Udu malaya, also called Weda hitina maligawa (upper floor). The doors of the latter are adorned with fine ivory sculptures.

The relic shrine

The relic itself is not exposed to view: it is kept in seven nested gold caskets, shaped like stupas and inlaid with precious stones. Only the outer casket is visible to the faithful from the hall. One of the reliquaries is used during the Esala Perahera festival.

Decorations and architecture

The temple's roofs alternate characteristic red and white shades. Inside, the ornamentation combines detailed sculptures and precious metalwork — gold, silver, bronze — to which is added ivory for the finest elements.

When to visit

The temple is open year-round. The most spiritually intense times are the morning, midday and evening pujas, during which the relic hall opens briefly to the faithful. On Wednesdays, a special ritual takes place, the Nanumura Mangallaya, during which the relic is immersed in a fragrant preparation made from herbs.

The major highlight of the year remains the Esala Perahera, a ten-day Buddhist festival held in July or August according to the lunar calendar. The ceremonial casket is carried in procession on the back of a male elephant adorned for the occasion, accompanied by dancers, drummers and torch-bearers. Pilgrims, dressed in white, lay lotus and frangipani flowers.

Practical information

• Dress code: arms and legs covered. Shoes and hats must be removed at the sanctuary entrance.
• Duration of visit: allow 1 to 2 hours for the temple alone, longer if you explore the museum, royal gardens and adjacent palace.
• Admission: paid entry for foreign visitors, to be paid on site.
• Photography: permitted in most areas, but without flash near the relic.
• Puja times: three ceremonies a day, to be prioritized to observe the ritual opening of the relic hall.

How to get there

The temple is located in central Kandy, on the edge of the lake, a few minutes' walk from the central market and railway station.

• By train: the line connecting Colombo Fort station to Kandy station is the most popular option. The scenic journey crosses the central hills in approximately three hours.
• By car or private taxi: allow three to four hours from Colombo depending on traffic.
• By intercity bus: regular connections from most major towns, terminus near the temple.
• By tuk-tuk: the most convenient way to get around Kandy.

Nearby attractions

The Tooth Temple fits naturally into a longer stay around Kandy and the highlands. A short distance away, the Millennium Elephant Foundation offers a way to explore the question of elephants in Sri Lanka in a care and conservation-focused setting. Craft enthusiasts will find at Selyn a fair-trade weaving cooperative representative of local expertise.

Further north, the archaeological site of Nalanda Gedige offers an interesting contrast with Kandyan art. To the southeast, the Ella region combines two accessible hikes: Little Adam's Peak and Ravana Falls.

Frequently asked questions

Include the Tooth Temple in your trip

Sri Dalada Maligawa fits naturally into an itinerary combining the Cultural Triangle, highlands and south coast. To build a customized trip including Kandy and its surroundings, check out our Sri Lanka trip ideas.