Sri Dalada Maligawa

The sacred tooth relic, housed in the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy is an object of veneration to Buddhists and the most important sacred relic in the country. The temple is one of the most sacred places in the World for Buddhists

From the ancient times kings have kept the sacred Tooth Relic in their kingdoms as a symbol of power. History records that the Tooth Relic was first brought to the Island by Prince Dhantha and Princess Hemamali during the reign of King Kirthi Sri Meghavanna (301-328 AD).

It is a traditional belief that whoever takes possession of the Tooth Relic, ruler or invader, has the power to rule the people.

The original temple built to house the Relic was by King Vimala Dharma suriya (I) in the 16th century when the Tooth Relic first came to Kandy

The entrance to the temple complex is through the “Maha Vahalkada

There are two walls on the sides of the Vahalkada. The outer wall is called “Walakulu Bamma"

(Wall of clouds).This same pattern is also used in the wall surrounding the Kandy Lake. The inner wall is called "Diyareli Bamma" (wall of water ripples). Both these

Walls are built with holes to place oil lamps during the night.

After passing the "Vahalkada" and the moat, you come to a "Makara Thorana". Next is the cave "ambarawa”.

Passing the cave you come to the ground floor of the temple complex. The lower floor of the building called "pallemaluwa" This inner chamber is fortified with a large wooden door and decorated with bronze and ivory. The area in front of the door is called the
"Hevisi Mandapaya" (Drummers Courtyard) where the daily rituals are carried out.

The tooth relic is kept in the upper floor in the chamber called "Vadahitina Maligawa"

The door of this chamber is covered with gold silver and ivory. The tooth relic is encased in seven gold caskets studded with precious stones. The outer casket is studded by precious stones offered to the tooth relic by various rulers.