Temple of the Tooth Relic
Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy houses a tooth relic of the Buddha and has been the most sacred Buddhist site in Sri Lanka since the 4th century AD.
Duration
1.5-2 hours
Entry Fee
$15 USD
Difficulty
easy
Budget
moderate
About Temple of the Tooth Relic
The Temple of the Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa) is the custodian of the left canine tooth of the Buddha, brought to Sri Lanka from India in the 4th century AD. The relic is housed in a golden casket within a series of nested caskets in the inner shrine, and is displayed to the public three times daily during puja ceremonies at 5:30am, 9:30am, and 6:30pm. The temple complex includes the octagonal Paththirippuwa tower, the Alut Maligawa, and a museum with royal regalia and historic gifts to the temple. Entry requires covering shoulders and knees and removing shoes at the entrance. The Esala Perahera festival held over 10 days in July or August features the relic casket carried by a procession elephant through Kandy's streets, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors annually.
Highlights
- Tooth relic of the Buddha (4th century AD)
- Three daily puja ceremonies open to visitors
- UNESCO World Heritage Site (part of Kandy's Sacred City)
- Annual Esala Perahera festival — one of Asia's largest processions
Practical Tips
Attend the 6:30pm puja for the most atmospheric experience — drumming, incense, and candlelight.
Arrive 20 minutes early for puja to get a viewing position in the upper gallery.
Dress modestly: cover shoulders and knees; sarongs are available to rent at the entrance for LKR 50-100.
Foreign visitor entry fee is USD 15 (LKR 4,500) as of 2024.
Explore by Interest
Best Time to Visit
Best time of day: Year-round; Esala Perahera in July/August is spectacular but very crowded
Location
Planning Info
- Crowd level
- Very busy
- Physical difficulty
- easy
- Setting
- mixed
- Child friendly
- Yes
- Senior friendly
- Yes
- Budget level
- moderate
- Photography
- ★★★★☆
Plan Your Visit
Want to include Temple of the Tooth Relic in your Sri Lanka itinerary? Our team builds personalised plans: no booking fees, no online payment.
ALSO IN THE AREA
Nearby Destinations
Udawattakele Forest Reserve
A 104-hectare protected cloud forest reserve directly above central Kandy, with 68 recorded bird species and multiple walking trails through bamboo groves and tropical trees.
Explore →
Kandy Lake
Artificial lake built by King Sri Wickrama Rajasinha in 1807 at the centre of Kandy, encircled by a 3km walkway and flanked by the Temple of the Tooth.
Explore →
Royal Botanical Gardens Peradeniya
Sri Lanka's largest botanical garden covering 147 acres on a meander of the Mahaweli River, established in 1821 with over 4,000 plant species including a 350-year-old Java fig tree.
Explore →
Bahirawakanda Vihara Buddha Statue
A 26.8-metre white seated Buddha statue on Bahirawakanda Hill overlooking central Kandy, visible from most of the city and accessible by a 30-minute walk or tuk-tuk.
Explore →LET'S EXPLOR™ THE
Tour Packages
from $450Classic Ceylon Discovery
This 6-day Classic Ceylon Discovery journey is crafted with care, blending the joy of exploration with the ease of unwinding, perfect for anyone eager to soak up the island’s magic. From ancient temples to misty hills, thrilling safaris to soft beaches, this trip is a love note to Sri Lanka’s heart and soul. Start in Kandy, where the air hums with tradition and the city’s sacred sites, a UNESCO treasure, feel like a step back in time. Then, roll into Nuwara Eliya’s cool highlands, where tea fields stretch forever and old colonial cottages whisper history. Feel the thrill of Yala’s wild side on a safari, spotting leopards and elephants in their untamed home. Kick back on Bentota’s golden beaches, letting the waves wash your cares away. Finally, wander Colombo’s lively streets, where grand old buildings meet the buzz of today. If you love history, crave nature, or just want a trip that feels alive, Classic Ceylon Discovery captures Sri Lanka’s spirit in one unforgettable loop. Your Itinerary Day 1: Land in Sri Lanka and sink into Kandy’s warm, sacred charm. Day 2: Drive through stunning views to Nuwara Eliya, where tea plantations and history await. Day 3: Head to Yala for an afternoon safari that’ll make your heart race. Day 4: Settle into Bentota’s beachy bliss, with palms and waves for company. Day 5: Discover Colombo, where old-school charm meets modern energy. Day 6: Head home, carrying Sri Lanka’s warmth in your heart.
6 days / 5 nights
from $0Kandy Esala Perahera Festival Tour
The Kandy Esala Perahera is a ten-night Buddhist and Hindu procession honouring the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha, held each July or August in Sri Lanka's hill capital. Five Kumbal Perahera nights build in scale before the Randoli Perahera, when palanquins representing the four devale queens join over 100 elephants, whip-crackers, fire dancers and Kandyan drummers on the temple's torch-lit route through the city. This tour bases you in Kandy for two of the grandest Randoli nights with reserved gallery seats, and fills the days with a morning visit to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic before the crowds, the palm avenues of Peradeniya Royal Botanical Garden, and a day trip into Nuwara Eliya's tea country. Travellers who want more history can add an optional day at Sigiriya Rock Fortress and the Dambulla Cave Temple. Kandy's hotels sell out months ahead of the festival, so confirm your dates and book as early as you can.
6 Days / 5 Nights
Ceylon Express: 4-Day Highlights
Ceylon Express is a 4-day loop for travellers with limited time: a Maldives stopover, a short-leave visit, or a first taste of Sri Lanka before a longer trip another year, covering Sigiriya, Kandy and a genuine if brief taste of tea country. Day one drives to Sigiriya via a stop at the Dambulla Cave Temple, roughly 3.5-4 hours from Colombo, for the climb up the 5th-century rock fortress. Day two continues to Kandy, roughly 2.5-3 hours further, for the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. Day three is Kandy's tea day: the Ceylon Tea Museum at Hantana, a working 1925 tea factory 5km from town dedicated to tea pioneer James Taylor, gives a real look at leaf processing without the extra day a Nuwara Eliya trip would need, be honest with yourself that this is a taste of tea country, not the full hill-country experience; if that matters more than time saved, look at the 6-day Classic Ceylon Discovery instead. Four days means three driving days out of four and limited free time, this route suits travellers who want the highlights covered efficiently, not a relaxed pace.
4 Days / 3 Nights
LATEST FROM
CeylonExplora Blog
Kandy Esala Perahera 2026: Dates, Schedule and Visitor Guide
Complete guide to the Kandy Esala Perahera 2026: confirmed dates (August 18–27), procession schedule, tickets, viewing spots, and what to expect.
Kandy: The Cultural Heart of Sri Lanka
A practical guide to Kandy: the Temple of the Tooth Relic, the daily puja ceremonies, Kandy Lake, cultural dance shows, the Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya, local markets, and the Esala Perahera festival.
PLAN YOUR VISIT
Ready to explore Temple of the Tooth Relic?
Tell us your travel dates, group size, and preferences. Our team will build a personalised itinerary with accommodation, transport, and entry tickets: no booking fees, no online payment required.