Temple of the Tooth Relic

In the Central Highlands, almost at the center of the island of Sri Lanka, lies the city of Kandy. The crown jewel of the city is the famed Sri Dalada Maligawa, also known as the Temple of the Tooth. “Maligawa” literally translates to palace, and the temple is part of a historic palace complex. The entire complex is over three centuries old and has witnessed the rise and fall of kings, periods of war, and peaceful reigns, making it one of the most significant historical landmarks still standing on the island.

History

• The Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Gautama Buddha was originally preserved in Kalinga, India.
• In the 4th century AD, King Guhasiva of Kalinga sent the tooth relic to Sri Lanka with Prince Danta and Princess Hemamala to protect it from invading enemies.
• The relic was received by King Meghavanna in Anuradhapura and enshrined in a 3rd-century sacred edifice.
• The tooth relic became a symbol of royal authority, signifying the right to ascend the throne.
• Kings of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, and Dambadeniya built temples near royal residences to house the relic.
• During the era of the Kotte Kingdom, the Temple of the Tooth was located in the royal city of Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte.
• With the rise of the Kingdom of Kandy, the relic was brought to the city and housed in a two-story structure built by King Vimaladharmasuriya I.
• The relic was hidden during the Portuguese invasion in 1603 and later returned to Kandy by King Rajasingha II.
• The present Temple of the Tooth was constructed in the early 1700s by King Vira Parakrama Narendra Singha, with later additions by King Sri Wickrama Rajasingha.
• The temple sustained damage during civil unrest in the late 20th century and was subsequently restored.

Folklore

Legend states that after Lord Buddha was cremated, his remains were distributed among different realms for worship. Among these relics, his four canine teeth were considered the most sacred.

Of the four canines, one was taken by the King of Gods, another by the ruler of Gandhara, a third by the Nagas who enshrined it in a golden chamber, and the final left canine was entrusted to the King of Kalinga in eastern India.

Architecture

• Temple of the Tooth building complex
• Main entrance
• Moat
• The Octagon (Paththirippuwa)
• Handun Kunama
• Golden Canopy
• Temple of the Tooth Museum (New Palace)
• Royal Palace
• National Museum of Kandy
• International Buddhist Museum (Old Courts)
• Kandy Lake
• Queen’s Bath
• Jayathilaka Mandapaya

The entire temple complex, from its peaked tiled roofs to whitewashed walls and large airy windows, reflects classical Kandyan architectural style. The main shrine consists of two floors with several chambers, including the sacred chamber known as the Handun Kunama, where the Tooth Relic is enshrined.