A visit to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is essential for anyone traveling to Kandy. This site, known locally as the Sri Dalada Maligawa, is the most venerated location in Sri Lanka and has served as a place of worship since the 16th century AD. It is located next to the royal palace complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy and offers a picturesque view of the expansive Kandy Lake.
The temple houses the Relic of Buddha, which is considered a symbol of authority; it is believed that whoever protects this relic is granted the right to govern the nation. This artifact holds immense significance for the Sinhalese people, representing their identity and pride. Each day, thousands of pilgrims dressed in white visit this sacred site, bringing lotus flowers and frangipani as offerings during their prayers, known as pujas. Although the tooth itself is concealed within a gold casket, visitors and devotees flock to the Temple during puja times to glimpse the well-guarded inner shrine where it resides.
Every year, during the Esala Perahera festival, the casket containing the Relic is paraded through the streets on the back of a male elephant. This ten-day celebration is one of the largest Buddhist festivals globally and holds great importance in Sri Lanka. The Temple is best experienced in the morning or evening when ceremonial offerings and prayers take place. It is important to dress modestly, ensuring that legs and shoulders are covered, and to remove shoes before entering the sacred premises.
