Culture & Heritage
The Sri Dalada Maligawa — the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic — is the most revered Buddhist site in Sri Lanka and a UNESCO World Heritage monument, housing the sacred relic of Lord Buddha that has been venerated for over 2,000 years.
According to tradition, the tooth relic was brought to Sri Lanka from India in the 4th century AD, hidden in the hair of a princess. It has since been housed in a series of temples, the current Maligawa complex being built in the 17th and 18th centuries on the shores of the Kandy Lake by the Kandyan kings.
The relic is enshrined within a series of golden caskets and is brought out for public veneration three times a day during the puja ceremonies — at dawn, noon and dusk. The morning puja (6am) is the most atmospheric, when the temple fills with the sound of drums, horns and the fragrance of incense and flowers.
Every August, the Esala Perahera procession — one of Asia's grandest festivals — begins and ends at the Maligawa, with the tooth relic paraded through the streets of Kandy on a magnificently decorated elephant. The view of the temple illuminated at night, visible directly from Coffee Bungalow, is one of the most memorable images of a stay here.
Everything you need to know before planning your excursion to Sri Dalada Maligawa.
Attend the dawn puja at 6am for the most spiritual and least crowded experience. Dress modestly — shoulders and knees must be covered.
