Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Tooth)

Dalada Maligawa, or Temple of the Tooth, is a sacred place, which is recognized as a World Heritage Site of Buddhism. It houses Sri Lanka’s most important Buddhist relic– a sacred tooth of the Buddha. The tooth was brought to Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka in the 4th century AD by Southern Indian Prince Danta and Princess Hemamala. During smuggling, it was hidden in the princess’s hair. This sacred relic moved from place to place wherever the kingdoms shifted from Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Dambadeniya, Yapahuwa, Kurunegala, Kotte, Gampola and finally, it ended up in Kandy around 1100 AD. Buddhists believe this tooth relic protects the country and Kandy area. The existing Dalada Maligawa, or Temple of the Tooth, was constructed under Kandyan kings from 1687 to 1707 and 1747 to 1782. Its pink-painted structure and its paintings with elephant carvings attract many local and foreign visitors. The tooth itself is never seen; it is kept locked in a series of caskets that are closely guarded. Pujas (offerings or prayers) are held at dawn and dusk every day, and drums beat throughout the pujas. Many things can be seen inside and around Dalada Maligawa: the library of ola (palm-leaf) manuscripts, the Mahawasala (The Royal Palace), Mangul Maduwa (The Royal Court), Ulpenge (The Bathing House), which was built for queens bathing during the Kandy Kingdom, Biso Maligawa, and Palle Vahala (Queens Palace).