The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is located at two places in the world, one is in Singapore and the other one is in Sri Lanka. The Sri Dalasa Maligawa or the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is found in the city of Kandy in Sri Lanka.
Kandy was the former capital of the Singhalese Kings from 1592 to 1815. The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is built within the royal palace complex and the temple holds one of the two surviving relic of the tooth of Buddha. Due to this reason the temple is regarded as one of the most important pilgrimage center throughout the whole world. Due to the existence of this temple, Kandy has also been enlisted as the world heritage site by UNESCO. Not only the local Buddhists of Sir Lanka come to visit this temple but it is also visited by the Buddhists devotees from all over the world.
History
As to the legend related to this relic tooth of Buddha, it was taken from him as he lay on his funeral pyre. Princess Hemamali had hid the tooth in her hair while fleeing from the Hindu armies who were taking over her father’s kingdom in India and smuggled it to Sri Lanka during the 313 AD. The tooth immediately became an object of great reverence.
The tooth was placed in temple, which was structured to honor it by Kandyan kings during 1687 to 1707. The temple was attacked and attempts to destroy the tooth were made for several times. In fact the temple was severely damaged during the colonial wars between the Portuguese and the Dutch in the 18th century. The original wooden structure of the temple was replaced by wooden structure after the wars. In January 1998, the temple was again severely damaged by the Hindu Tamil separatists. Restoration was made to the temple.
Attractions
The chief attraction of this temple is the relic of the tooth of Buddha, which is kept in a two-storey inner shrine. The shrine has two large elephant tucks directed towards its front. The tooth relic is enclosed in a jeweled casket and placed on top of a solid gold lotus flower.
The outer walls of the temple are not structured in an elaborate manner as they have a plain outlook. But the interiors of this temple are fabulously decorated with stunning carvings on the woods, ivory and lacquer.
The outer boundaries of the temple have a low white stone wall, which is decorated with delicate and simple carvings. During the festivals celebrated at this temple, candles are place in the openings of its outer wall that gives an alluring look to this renowned temple of Sri Lanka.
Another attraction at the location of this temple is a museum that holds a collection of ancient items like the royal and the noble belongings dating back to the rule of kings of Kandy.
Festivals
The most important festival celebrated at this temple is Esala Perahera, which is a 10 day annual festival, organized between late July and early August. A procession is held during this festival which involves dancers and drummers. Esala Perahera is considered as the largest Buddhist festival in the world with thousands of people from all over the world coming to witness this holy festival.
How to Reach
Kandy is the second largest city in the country of Sri Lanka. The city is well connected through road by regular taxi and bus services from Colombo, the capital city of the country. Colombo also has an international airport and is also well connected with other parts of the country through railway. The city of Kandy can also be reached through railway from Colombo.
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