A first look
Approach Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy as a living place, not a stamp in a passport. The stone keeps older stories; the courtyard keeps today’s feet.
Temple complex in Kandy, Sri Lanka
Wall painting at Kelaniya Temple of Princess Hemamali and Prince Dantha as she carried Gautama Buddha's tooth relic hidden in her hair to Sri Lanka. – Painting by Solias Mendis
The Paththirippuwa, as seen from the front
Inside the Temple of the Tooth
History and meaning
Since ancient times, the relic has played an important role in local politics because it is believed that whoever holds the relic holds the governance of the country.
Being there
Sri Dalada Maligawa, commonly known in English as the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, is a Buddhist temple in Kandy, Sri Lanka. It is located in the Royal Palace Complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy, which houses the relic of the tooth of the Buddha. The relic was historically held by Sinhalese kings. The Temple of the Tooth is a World Heritage Site mainly due to the temple and the relic. Listed stays nearby appear on the Kandy hub when hosts publish. If a house is not on SoloRoost, we do not invent it.
Practical notes
- Shoulders and knees covered at shrines; shoes off where the stone asks. Photography rules change at the inner rooms — watch for signs.
- Tickets, if any, are sold on site. We do not publish a price that will be wrong next season.
- For a walking commentary — names, layers of history, and what to look at as you go — download StoryPGT from ervanta.com.
Walk it with a voice guide
For a fuller tour — history, what to notice as you walk, and a guide in your ear — download StoryPGT, Ervanta’s voice book guide. Download StoryPGT. Install the app, then open this place when you are on the ground.