Temple of the Tooth

The Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa) in Kandy is a Buddhist temple complex that houses a relic believed to be a tooth of the Buddha and is central to Sri Lanka’s religious life. The site is part of the Kandy UNESCO World Heritage designation.

The complex includes ornate shrines, daily ritual ceremonies and restricted inner chambers where the relic is kept; visitors often attend morning or evening poojas to observe traditional ritual. The temple precinct also contains museums and display rooms showing regalia and historical objects.

The temple is the focal point for the annual Esala Perahera, a large procession with dancers, drummers and decorated elephants held in July or August.

The tooth relic has been a symbol of political and religious authority in Sri Lanka for centuries and the temple complex in Kandy grew in importance during the Kandyan Kingdom. The present complex reflects successive periods of construction and repair tied to royal patronage and religious practice.

The temple sits in the city of Kandy in Sri Lanka’s central highlands, adjacent to Kandy Lake and within the historic core of the city; Colombo is roughly 115 kilometres to the west.

• Relic importance: The temple houses the relic of the Buddha’s tooth, which is a focal point of Sri Lankan Buddhist devotion and state ceremonies.
• Esala Perahera: The annual Esala Perahera festival in Kandy, held in July or August, is centred on processions that honour the tooth relic and attract large crowds.

What to See#

• Inner shrine (Dalada Maligawa): The temple’s inner sanctum where the tooth relic is kept; public access is restricted and rituals are performed around the shrine several times daily.
• Temple museum and display rooms: A museum and display rooms adjacent to the temple complex that present relics, regalia and historical items associated with the Kandyan court and the tooth relic’s custodianship.

Kandy is about 115 km from Colombo and is reached by the scenic Kandy line train (Colombo Fort to Kandy) or by road on the A1 and A9. The temple sits in the centre of Kandy; it is a short walk from Kandy Railway Station and the central bus stands.

• Dress respectfully - shoulders and knees should be covered when entering the inner temple areas; remove hats and shoes where indicated.
• Visit early morning when the morning puja is performed and the atmosphere is quieter; the temple can be very crowded late morning to mid-afternoon.
• Respect photography rules - some inner sanctum areas prohibit cameras.