This is Sri Lanka’s most important Buddhist relic and one of the most important in the entire Buddhist world. The Temple of the Tooth houses the real tooth of the Buddha and is a World Heritage Site (because of its significance, it is a landmark of international legal protection by UNESCO ). This is the most sacred place in Sri Lanka.
I originally landed in Kandy to visit the Temple but it was closed for a few weeks due to the suicide bombing attacks of 2019. I waited a while to be able to visit Kandy again to visit the Temple and I was definitely not disappointed.
According to the legend, the left upper canine tooth of Buddha was taken by one of his Buddhist monks during his funeral. The relic tooth was a very precious item which later on was smuggled by a Princess in her hair around the year 300!!! When the Princess landed on the Island of Sri Lanka, she gave it to the Monarch of the time and he enshrined it and took guard of it. Being in the custody of such a treasure meant the right to rule the island of Sri Lanka. Later on, in the 1500s the relic was taken to the city of Kandy hidden inside a grinding stone. It was taken away again during the Portuguese invasion but later on, placed in the temple built by Vira Narendra Sinha who was the last Sinhalese King of Sri Lanka from 1707-1739. What a traveling tooth!!
The Royal Palace complex is breathtaking and the city of Kandy was a kingdom during the time of Lord Buddha (remember that Lord Buddha was born around the 4th or 5th century BC). The Temple is located within the Royal Palace and it is where currently the Tooth Relic is located which was built in 1592 (it was housed in different temples before). The Royal Palace complex is very large and there are other burn arildings, museums, a palace, and a forest reserve with amazing gardens.
An important place of worship, the Temple holds prayer sessions, Poojas, and other rituals dedicated to Lord Buddha. The Sacred Tooth is the left Canine tooth that is carefully guarded in a gold casket and it can’t be seen but we trust it is there. The Sacred Tooth is believed to have offered miracles since ancient times.
It is important not to forget that this is a place of worship where Buddhist Monks perform rituals in the inner chambers of the palace. While tourists are welcome to the prayer sessions, there has to be silence and proper attire is required (no low-cut shirts or tank tops, etc). While in Rome do like the Romans.
ESALA PARAHERA
It is an important festival, the most important in the Buddhist world!! The celebration is held in Kandy during the month of July and August to honor the Sacred Tooth of Buddha.
A water f
Above a beautiful place for offering displays of candles as thank you a token to Lord Buddha
