Temple of the Tooth Kandy: Sri Lanka's Most Sacred Buddhist Site
Inside a golden casket, behind guarded doors in the heart of Kandy's Royal Palace Complex, sits what Buddhists believe to be the left canine tooth of Gautama Buddha. The Sri Dalada Maligawa - Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic - has housed this relic since the 16th century, and for far longer than that, the tooth has shaped the destiny of Sri Lanka. For centuries, whoever possessed the relic held the legitimate right to rule the island. Kings went to war over it. Kingdoms rose and fell around it. Today, it remains the most venerated religious object in the country and the reason Kandy became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The temple sits on the shore of Kandy Lake, surrounded by the old royal palace buildings, in a city that feels unlike anywhere else in Sri Lanka. Kandy is cooler, greener, and more relaxed than the lowland cities, nestled in hills at 500 meters elevation with a pace that invites lingering. The temple is the spiritual anchor, but the city itself - with its lakeside walks, bustling central market, botanical gardens, and colonial-era architecture - makes Kandy one of the most rewarding stops on any Sri Lanka itinerary.
The Temple Complex
The Temple of the Tooth is not a single building but a complex of interconnected halls, shrines, and courtyards within the former Royal Palace grounds. The architecture blends Kandyan, South Indian, and colonial influences, with carved stone, painted wood, and gilded surfaces throughout.
The Main Shrine
The relic chamber sits on the upper floor of the main temple building. The tooth itself is never publicly displayed - it rests inside a series of nested golden caskets, the outermost shaped like a dagoba (stupa). During puja ceremonies, the doors to the relic chamber open and devotees file past, offering flowers and prayers. You can see the ornate golden casket from outside the chamber but cannot enter the room or see the tooth itself. The atmosphere during puja is deeply moving - incense, oil lamps, drumming, and the quiet devotion of hundreds of worshippers create a sensory experience unlike any other temple visit in Sri Lanka.
Puja Ceremonies
Three daily puja ceremonies are the spiritual heart of the temple experience. During these rituals, the doors to the relic chamber are opened and visitors can view the golden casket.
| Puja | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Morning (Udusanaya) | 5:30 AM - 7:00 AM | Quietest ceremony, fewest tourists. Atmospheric with oil lamps in the pre-dawn. |
| Midday (Daval) | 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM | Moderate crowds. Good for those who do not want to wake early. |
| Evening (Sandha) | 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM | Most popular and atmospheric. Drumming, chanting, and oil lamps create a powerful ambiance. |
Arriving 15-20 minutes before puja begins gives you time to find a good position near the relic chamber doors. The evening puja is the most dramatic but also the most crowded. The morning puja at dawn offers an intimate, spiritual atmosphere with far fewer visitors.
The Museum
A museum within the complex displays photographs of the temple's history, gifts from foreign dignitaries, and documentation of the damage caused by a bomb attack in 1998 (the temple has since been fully restored). The museum provides useful context but is optional - the temple itself is the main experience.
Things to Do
Practical Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Entrance fee | LKR 2,000 (foreign visitors), LKR 1,500 (SAARC nationals) |
| Opening hours | 5:30 AM - 8:00 PM daily |
| Photography fee | Additional charge for camera/video inside the temple |
| Time needed | 1-2 hours (longer if attending a puja ceremony) |
Dress Code and Etiquette
The Temple of the Tooth is an active place of worship and strict dress and behavior codes apply.
- Cover shoulders and knees: Sleeveless tops, shorts, short skirts, and low-cut clothing are not permitted. Sarongs are available for rent at the entrance if needed.
- Remove shoes and hats: Footwear must be removed before entering the temple. A shoe storage area is available near the entrance.
- Respectful behavior: Speak quietly, do not point your feet toward Buddha statues or the relic chamber, and do not turn your back on Buddha images for photographs.
- Flower offerings: Lotus flowers and jasmine garlands are sold by vendors near the entrance. Bringing an offering is not required but is a respectful gesture that connects you to the ritual.
Getting to Kandy
Kandy is Sri Lanka's second city and well-connected to all major destinations on the island.
| From | Transport | Duration | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colombo | Train (scenic route) | 2.5-3 hours | LKR 200-1,000 depending on class |
| Colombo | Bus (express) | 3-3.5 hours | LKR 400-600 |
| Colombo | Private car | 3-4 hours | LKR 10,000-15,000 |
| Ella | Train (famous scenic route) | 6-7 hours | LKR 200-1,500 |
| Sigiriya/Dambulla | Bus or car | 2.5-3 hours | LKR 200-400 (bus) |
The train from Colombo to Kandy is one of Sri Lanka's great rail journeys, climbing through tea plantations and hill country. The train from Kandy to Ella is even more famous - widely considered one of the most scenic train rides in the world. Book observation car or first-class seats in advance for the best experience.
The Esala Perahera Festival
For ten nights in July or August (dates follow the lunar calendar), Kandy hosts the Esala Perahera - one of the oldest and grandest Buddhist festivals in Asia. A golden replica of the tooth relic casket is paraded through the streets atop a magnificently decorated elephant, accompanied by over 100 elephants, hundreds of drummers, fire dancers, whip crackers, and traditional performers in elaborate costumes.
The final night (Randoli Perahera) is the most spectacular, with the full procession stretching for hours through Kandy's streets. If your dates align, experiencing the Perahera is unforgettable. Book accommodation months in advance as the city fills completely during the festival.
More Things to Do in Kandy
- Kandy Lake: The artificial lake beside the temple was created in 1807 by the last king of Kandy. A walking path circles the lake (about 3.5 kilometers) through shaded trees and past the temple, offering the best views of the Dalada Maligawa from across the water. A sunset walk around the lake is one of Kandy's simple pleasures.
- Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya: One of the finest botanical gardens in Asia, spread over 60 hectares about 6 kilometers from Kandy center. Highlights include the giant Java fig tree, the orchid house, the spice garden, and the avenue of royal palms. Entrance LKR 2,000 for foreigners. Plan 2-3 hours.
- Kandy Central Market: A bustling covered market selling fruit, vegetables, spices, dried fish, and household goods. The spice section is particularly good for buying cinnamon, cardamom, and pepper directly from traders. A genuine local experience far from the tourist trail.
- Kandyan Dance Show: Traditional dance performances are held in the Kandy Lake Club and other venues each evening. The hour-long shows feature acrobatic Kandyan dancers, drumming, and a fire-walking finale. Tickets cost LKR 1,000-1,500 and performances start around 5:00 PM, making it easy to combine with the evening puja at the temple.
- Bahiravokanda Vihara Buddha Statue: A giant white Buddha statue on a hilltop above Kandy, reached by a short climb from the town center. The views over Kandy, the lake, and the surrounding hills are excellent. Free entry though donations are welcome.
Tips for Visiting the Temple of the Tooth
- Time your visit for a puja ceremony: The temple can be visited anytime during opening hours, but the experience is transformed during puja when the relic chamber doors open, drums sound, and devotees fill the halls. The evening puja (6:30 PM) is the most atmospheric; the morning puja (5:30 AM) is the most intimate.
- Dress appropriately before arriving: Do not count on renting a sarong at the entrance - bring clothing that covers your shoulders and knees. White clothing is traditional for temple visits in Sri Lanka and will help you feel part of the occasion rather than a spectator.
- Remove shoes early: The shoe storage area can have a queue. Use it rather than leaving shoes unattended. Socks are allowed and useful since the stone floors can be hot during the day.
- Bring a flower offering: Buying a lotus flower or jasmine garland (LKR 100-300) from vendors outside and placing it at the shrine is a simple, respectful way to participate in the ritual. Watch how locals do it and follow their lead.
- Combine with the Kandyan dance show: The 5:00 PM dance show at the Kandy Lake Club finishes in time for the 6:30 PM evening puja, making a natural cultural double feature for your evening.
- Walk around the lake at sunset: After the evening puja, the lakeside path is beautiful in the fading light. The temple is illuminated at night and reflects in the water.
- Plan to spend at least two nights in Kandy: One day for the temple, lake, and market; another for the Botanical Gardens and surrounding area. Kandy rewards a slower pace and the hill country atmosphere is a welcome change from the heat of the lowlands.
For more Sri Lanka temple guides and cultural heritage sites, explore other articles on GoAsia.cc.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the tooth itself is never publicly displayed. It is kept inside a series of nested golden caskets within a guarded relic chamber. During the three daily puja ceremonies, the doors to the chamber open and visitors can see the outermost golden casket from a distance as they file past. The casket is ornate and impressive, and the atmosphere during puja makes the experience deeply meaningful even without seeing the tooth directly.
The entrance fee is approximately LKR 2,000 for foreign visitors (about $6) and LKR 1,500 for SAARC nationals. Sri Lankan citizens enter free or at a reduced rate. An additional fee applies for photography and video inside the temple. Flower offerings sold outside cost LKR 100-300. The temple is open from 5:30 AM to 8:00 PM daily.
Time your visit for one of the three daily puja ceremonies when the relic chamber doors are opened: morning (5:30-7:00 AM), midday (9:30-11:00 AM), or evening (6:30-8:00 PM). The evening puja is the most atmospheric with drumming, chanting, and oil lamps, but also the most crowded. The morning puja at dawn is the most intimate and spiritual. Arrive 15-20 minutes early for a good position.
Modest clothing covering shoulders and knees is mandatory. Sleeveless tops, shorts, short skirts, and low-cut clothing are not permitted. White clothing is traditional for temple visits in Sri Lanka. Shoes and hats must be removed before entering. Sarongs can be rented at the entrance, but bringing appropriate clothing is recommended. Socks are allowed and useful on hot stone floors.
The most scenic option is the train (2.5-3 hours, LKR 200-1,000 depending on class), which climbs through tea plantations and hill country. Express buses take 3-3.5 hours (LKR 400-600). Private car hire costs LKR 10,000-15,000 and takes 3-4 hours. The train is recommended for the experience - book first class or observation car seats in advance.
The Esala Perahera is a ten-night Buddhist festival held in July or August (lunar calendar) featuring a grand procession through Kandy's streets. Over 100 decorated elephants, hundreds of drummers, fire dancers, and performers parade a golden replica of the tooth relic casket. The final night is the most spectacular. Book accommodation months ahead as the city fills completely. It is one of the oldest and grandest Buddhist festivals in Asia.
Two nights is ideal. Day one: Temple of the Tooth (attend a puja ceremony), Kandy Lake walk, central market, and an evening Kandyan dance show. Day two: Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya, hilltop viewpoints, and more relaxed exploration. Kandy also serves as a base for day trips to tea plantations and as the starting point for the famous scenic train to Ella.
