Sri Dalada Maligawa

Kandy was known during ancient times as Senkadagala and was the final Kingdom of Sri Lanka. Beautiful mountains and the country’s biggest river of Sri Lanka, the Mahaweli, surround the city of Kandy which is well known for its cool climatic conditions. Above all, the significance of this world heritage site lies in the fact that it houses the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha.

The temple of the Scared Tooth Relic or Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy is a vital place of worship for Buddhists across the world and by today has become an important tourist attraction.
 
Since ancient times the tooth relic, which was brought to Sri Lanka from India played a major role in the political scene of the country. It is documented that it was the prime duty of the then King to safeguard the tooth relic. Therefore it was protected by the many Sri Lankan Kings for centuries and centuries.
 
Since the arrival of the tooth relic in Sri Lanka in the 4th century AD, it was taken to various temples under the various Kingdoms. However, the tooth relic is now safely placed in its final resting place at the sacred temple of the Tooth which was brought to Kandy by King, Vimaladharmasuriya I. The king also created a golden casket to place the sacred Tooth Relic which can be seen even today at the temple.

An important feature is that the temple is built within the royal palace itself. This fact reveals the significance of the relic to the ancient Kings and their need to protect the sacred tooth.

Today the three main custodians of the sacred Tooth Relic that lie at the Sri Dalada Maligawa are The Malwatta, Asgiriya monasteries and the Diyawadana Nilame.

The temple of the Scared Tooth Relic is one of the most significant sites in Sri Lanka amongst Buddhists, and this reverence is not limited only to Sri Lanka itself, but amongst Buddhist around the world.

World Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka