Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic)

Verification: in review · Coordinates: unverified

What is this site?

Enshrines the Sacred Tooth Relic of Gautama Buddha; serves as the spiritual epicenter of Sri Lankan Theravada Buddhism featuring royal palace architecture, the octagonal Paththirippuwa library, and the golden Ran Viyana canopy.

Why it matters

It is the most venerated Buddhist shrine on the island, housing the palladium of Sinhalese sovereignty and forming the center of the UNESCO Sacred City of Kandy.

Description

The Sacred Tooth Relic arrived in Sri Lanka in the 4th century CE. Translocated to Senkadagalapura (Kandy) in 1595, the complex was continuously enhanced by Kandyan monarchs until 1815. Associated patrons (as supplied): King Vimaladharmasuriya I, King Kirti Sri Rajasinha, King Sri Wickrama Rajasinha. Key features to look for: Paththirippuwa octagonal tower framed by the moat; Gilded Ran Viyana roof over the inner sanctum; Carved ivory doorway at Weda Hitina Maligawa; Walakulu Bamma cloud-wall parapet by Kandy Lake; Continuous Sittara murals of the Tooth Relic procession.

Then & now

Drag across the photo to compare a historical photograph with today.

Photos

Historical and scholarly sources

Reference as supplied in project dataset (pending verification): UNESCO Ref: 450; Gazette No. 1486 (2007-02-23)

Visiting responsibly

Dress modestly at religious sites, remove shoes and hats where requested, never climb on monuments or pose with your back to Buddha images, and follow guidance from custodians and the Department of Archaeology.