The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, known locally as Sri Dalada Maligawa, is a significant Buddhist temple located in the city of Kandy, Sri Lanka. It houses the relic of the tooth of the Buddha, which is believed to be enshrined within the temple. This relic is highly venerated by Buddhists around the world.
The Sri Dalada Maligawa is situated in the royal palace complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy, which was the last independent kingdom of Sri Lanka before it fell to the British in the early 19th century. The temple complex includes several buildings, each with its own historical and architectural significance.
The tooth relic is kept in a gold casket shaped like a stupa, which is itself housed within a series of nested golden caskets. The custodianship of the relic is a prestigious responsibility, traditionally held by the high-ranking Buddhist monks. The temple complex also includes a museum that showcases artifacts related to the tooth relic and the history of the temple.
The temple is not only a religious center but also a cultural and architectural marvel, attracting pilgrims, tourists, and scholars from all over the world. It is also the focal point of the annual Esala Perahera festival, a grand procession featuring elephants, dancers, musicians, and acrobats, held in honor of the tooth relic.
Visitors to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic can experience its serene atmosphere, marvel at its intricate architecture, and witness the deep reverence with which the relic is worshipped by Buddhists in Sri Lanka and beyond.