Culture & Heritage

Visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic

Sri Dalada Maligawa, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, is Sri Lanka's most venerated Buddhist shrine, housing the left canine tooth relic of Gautama Buddha. Located within the royal palace complex along Kandy Lake, visitors can witness rhythmic Thevava drumming rituals and flower offerings during morning and evening pooja ceremonies.

Sri Dalada Maligawa the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic on Kandy Lake

Location: Kandy, Central Province
Duration: 2–3 hours
Ritual Times: Daily pooja at 5:30 AM, 9:30 AM & 6:30 PM
Status: UNESCO World Heritage Site

Why is the Temple of the Tooth so sacred?

For over two millennia, the sacred tooth relic was considered a symbol of sovereign governance in Sri Lanka—whoever held the relic possessed the divine right to rule. King Vimaladharmasuriya I brought the relic to Kandy in 1592, constructing a two-storey shrine that successive Kandyan monarchs expanded with gilded copper roofs and ornate wood carvings.

Today, the temple stands as the cultural and spiritual epicentre of Theravada Buddhism worldwide, attracting pilgrims from Thailand, Myanmar, Japan, and across Sri Lanka.

The Golden Casket chamber (inner sanctum) containing seven nested stupa-shaped shrines
The Paththirippuwa (octagonal pavilion) overlooking Kandy Lake
The Royal Audience Hall (Magul Maduwa) with hand-carved teak pillars
The International Buddhist Museum located in the former Royal Palace

When are the daily Pooja ceremonies held?

The inner casket chamber opens briefly for veneration during three daily rituals called Thevava: early morning (5:30 AM to 7:00 AM), mid-morning (9:30 AM to 11:00 AM), and evening (6:30 PM to 8:00 PM). During these windows, resident monks chant and drummers play traditional Kandyan drums in the lower hall while devotees offer fragrant white lotus flowers.

The evening pooja at 6:30 PM is especially atmospheric, as oil lamps flicker across the stone corridors and the rhythmic drumming resonates throughout the temple complex.

What is the temple dress code and visitor etiquette?

Modest attire is strictly enforced: shoulders and knees must be fully covered for both women and men. White or pastel clothing is culturally preferred as a symbol of purity and respect. You must remove shoes, hats, and sunglasses at the entrance cloakroom (socks are permitted and helpful when the stone courtyards get warm).

Your private Zelenso chauffeur-guide handles the entry queue, provides temple shawls if needed, and narrates the centuries of royal and colonial history behind each pavilion.

Practical tips before you go

Arrive 30 minutes before the 6:30 PM evening pooja to secure a good vantage point near the upper shrine steps.
Wear comfortable slip-on shoes with socks, as the stone walkways can feel slightly warm during mid-day sun.
If travelling in July or August, check the dates for the Kandy Esala Perahera, an extraordinary ten-day pageant of decorated tuskers and fire dancers.
Combine your temple visit with a stroll around Kandy Lake and a sunset viewpoint over the hill city.

Frequently asked questions

Can visitors actually see the physical tooth relic?

The tooth relic itself is kept inside seven nested golden stupas encrusted with rubies, diamonds, and emeralds. During pooja rituals, the inner chamber door is opened so visitors can view the outermost golden casket from a respectful distance of a few metres.

Is photography allowed inside the temple?

Photography is permitted in the open courtyards, palace grounds, and museum. However, turning your back to Buddha statues for selfies or taking photos inside the sacred inner relic chamber is prohibited.