Central Province · Sri Lanka
Temple of the Tooth Relic
Religious SitesBuddhist HeritageUNESCO World HeritageCultural Heritage
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
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best months Shoulder Avoid
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
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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 →PLAN YOUR VISIT
Ready to explore Temple of the Tooth Relic?
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