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The Temple of the Tooth Relic, which is popularly known as Sri Dalada Maligawa, is a Buddhist temple that is located in Kandy, Sri Lanka. It is a world heritage site that was historically held by Sinhalese kings. This temple houses the relic of the tooth of Lord Buddha. It is believed that the tooth of Buddha was received from Kusinara in India. This temple was built in 1600 but got destroyed during Portuguese rule. It was again rebuilt in the mid-17th century. The Buddhist monks here pay homage to the tooth three times every day. The tooth relic in this temple is encased in 7 golden baskets, each of which represents a stupa covered with precious stones that is displayed in a chamber.
Quick Details
Location: Kandy, Sri Lanka
Opening Date: 1592
Dimensions: 29 ft long and 8 ft wide
Elevation: 1,640 ft
Timings: 5:30 AM – 8 PM
Constructed By: Vira Narendra Sinha
Temple Of The Tooth Entry Fee: 2000 LKR, free for children
Location Of Temple Of The Tooth Relic
Photo: MediaJet / Wikimedia Commons
The temple of the Tooth Relic or the Sri Dalada Maligawa is located in the former kingdom of Kandy, which is the Royal Palace Complex in Sri Lanka. Kandy is a large city located in the central province of Sri Lanka. It is surrounded by mountains, plantations and biodiversity rainforest. It is also a home to various sacred Buddhist sites and the Tooth Relic Temple is one of them.
How To Reach Temple Of The Tooth Relic
Photo: Balou46 / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
By Air: the nearest airport to visit the Tooth Relic Temple is the Bandaranaike International Airport, which is 35 km away. There are many buses and taxis available from the airport to reach the temple.
By Rail: the nearest railway station to visit the Tooth Relic Temple is the Colombo Fort, which is a major station to reach various cities like Kandy.
By Bus: there are many local buses and taxis available from various parts of the city to reach the temple.
Things To Do In Temple Of The Tooth Relic
Here are a few things and the temple of the tooth facts to explore, enjoy and learn about this place.
1. Visit The Museum In The Temple
Photo: Cherubino / Wikimedia Commons
Visiting temple of the tooth for an amazing glimpse into the history and significance of the sacred tooth relic. This museum also showcases information about how the tooth relic has been found and has been preserved for many years. This museum also has a display of various historical manuscripts, royal artefacts and historical documents that tell the story of the temple. This museum is a two-story building which also has various life-size models of the royals that are Vikram Raja Singha and his queen with various collections of antiques, ornaments and objects. Do not forget to take the camera for the temple of the tooth photos.
Timings: 7 AM – 8 PM
2. Take A Tour Around The Royal Palace Complex
Photo: A.Savin / Wikimedia Commons
The Royal Palace complex is the place where the Tooth Relic Temple is located. This palace is a historical complex that served as the official residence of the kingdom of Kandy. This palace is built in the traditional Kandyan architectural style. The buildings in the palace complex have well-preserved woodwork, crafted stone carvings and ornate wall murals. This palace also has a wide range of structures like the audience, the queen’s palace, the king’s palace and many more to explore around.
Timings: 8 AM – 4 PM
3. Relax At The Kandy Lake
Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg / Wikimedia Commons
Kandy Lake is one of the most beautiful places to sit and relax by enjoying nature. This lake is also known as Kiri Muhuda or the sea of milk. It is an artificial lake located on the hill of the city. It was built by King Sri Vikrama Rajasinghe in 1807 and is situated right next to the tooth relic temple. There is also a facility for jogging around the lake. It also offers a beautiful view of the hills and the entire town.
Timings: 24*7
Places To Visit In And Around The Temple Of The Tooth Relic
Here are a few places to visit in and around the temple of the Tooth Relic to have the best time during the trip.
1. Royal Botanical Gardens
Photo: Bernard Gagnon / Wikimedia Commons
The Royal Botanical Gardens, also known as the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, is located in the west of Kandy, Sri Lanka. It is situated near the Mahaweli River, which is the longest river in Sri Lanka. This garden is known for its collection of various orchids. This garden has more than 4000 species of orchids, plants, spices, palm trees and medicinal plants. This garden covers an area of nearly 147 acres. This place also has a collection of centuries-old trees planted nearly during the 13th century.
Location: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kandy – Colombo Rd, Kandy 20400, Sri Lanka
Timings: 7:30 AM – 5 PM
2. Ceylon Tea Museum
Photo: calflier001 / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
The Ceylon Tea Museum, which was formerly known as the Hantana Tea Factory, was constructed in 1925. It was later converted into a museum in 1998. This team museum showcases the history and heritage of the world’s finest and most famous Ceylon tea. This museum also has a large library with a beautiful theme and a tea cafe with one of the best flavours being provided. With its beautiful ambience and raw aroma of tea, this is the best place to relax and sip on the tea. The three floors of this museum exhibit different information about the history and process of the tea and allow you to sit and relax.
Location: Ceylon Tea Museum, Hantana Road, Sri Lanka
Timings: 8:30 AM – 4 PM
3. Sri Maha Bodhi Viharaya
Photo: Subhrajyoti07 / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Sri Maha Bodhi Viharaya is one of the most sacred places in Kandy, Sri Lanka. It is a Buddhist temple that is famous for its giant statue of Lord Buddha in the position of dhyana mudra. This poster indicates meditation that is associated with his first enlightenment. This statue is 88 feet high and is one of the tallest Buddha statues in Sri Lanka. The construction of this statue was completed in 1992 and was opened in 1993 under the guidance of the chief monks.
Location: Bahirawa Kanda Rd, Kandy, Sri Lanka
Timings: 6 PM – 6 PM
4. Udawatta Kele Sanctuary
Photo: McKay Savage / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Udawatta Kele Sanctuary is a historic forest reserve that was built on the hill ridge of Kandy, Sri Lanka. This sanctuary covers an area of 104 acres. This sanctuary is famous for its collection of a wide variety of flora and fauna of over 400 species of plants, 80 species of birds and 32 species of butterflies. There are also a variety of mammals spotted in this place. The sanctuary can be explored only on foot, which also gives a beautiful view of the mist-covered hills, which is a very short and beautiful trek.
Location: Forest Department Office, Sangamitta Mawatha, Kandy, Sri Lanka
Timings: 8 AM – 6 PM
5. Sri Lankathilaka Temple
Photo: BluesyPete / Wikimedia Commons
Lankatilaka Temple is a famous Buddhist temple that was constructed in the 14th century. This temple was built on the Panhalgala rock, which is a natural rock that has three sections. It is famous for its stunning architecture and historical significance that showcases the detailed stonework and murals that reflect the cultural and religious significance of Sri Lanka with a touch of Dravidian and Indo-Chinese styles. The rock inscriptions found in this temple are written in Sinhalese and Tamil, which is valuable information about the history of this region.
Location: Forest Department Office, Sangamitta Mawatha, Kandy, Sri Lanka
Timings: 6:30 AM – 9:30 PM
Where To Stay
Photo: Gonzo Gooner / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
There are many hotels and resorts available near the Tooth Relic Temple to plan your stay. All these hotels provide the necessary facilities for the visitors with clean rooms and beautiful views of the town, hills and lake. There are also facilities provided like double bedrooms, AC rooms, a parking area, a swimming pool, dining options, a spa, housekeeping, shuttle service and many more according to the preferences of the visitors. Some of these hotels are Radisson Hotel Kandy, Amaya Hills, Skyloft Kandy, Kandy City Hotel, Thilanka Hotel and many more.
Where To Eat
Photo: calflier001 / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
There are many restaurants available in the city around the Tooth Relic Temple. These amazing restaurants have a wide range of cuisines like Indian, Chinese and Thai that is ideal for both vegetarians and non-vegetarians. There are also many places to explore the local Sri Lankan food with lips-making food items and snacks. Some of these famous restaurants, which are a must-try, are Theva Cuisine, Devon Restaurant, Royal Bar and Hotel, Kandyan King Seafood Restaurant, White House Restaurant and many more.
Best Time To Visit Temple Of The Tooth
Photo: Shenalit / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
The best time to visit the Tooth Relic Temple in Kandy is between the months of January to March, which are the dry months. These months are suitable not only for exploring the temple but also for various other outdoor activities. The temperature during these months is usually 18-30 degrees Celsius.
To attend the famous festival celebrations of the Kandy Esala Perahera, July to August is the best time. Even though there is slight rainfall during these months, it is still manageable most of the time.
Other Factors To Consider
Photo: Jorge Láscar / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Here are a few factors to consider while visiting the temple of the Tooth Relic.
Average Cost Of The Trip:
The entrance fee for visiting the temple is 2000 LKR. With the travel and various other charges, it might cost up to 4000 LKR per person to explore in and around this place.
Tips For Travellers:
- Remove shoes and hats while entering the temple
- Avoid taking photos during puja ceremonies
- Wear modest attire covering shoulders and legs
- Learn about the history of the temple through guided tours
The Temple of the Tooth Relic, which is the Sri Dalada Maligawa Kandy Sri Lanka, is one of the best places to explore the traditional culture and historical significance of Sri Lanka. Visiting the temple of the Tooth festival gives a unique experience of exploring and knowing about the history of the region and understanding the teachings and values of Lord Buddha. With many activities to do and many places to visit by exploring nature and various other temples, this is an amazing place to plan your next trip to. To know more about this place and for further information, visit TripXL.
Cover Photo: A.Savin / Wikimedia Commons
