The Temple of the Tooth (The Dalada Maligawa Temple) is located in the Kandy District of the Central Province of Sri Lanka. Kandy is the last kingdom of Sri Lanka. Also, the city of Kandy, including the Temple of the Tooth, has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Also known by other names such as Senkadagalapura and Udarata. Kandy is a beautiful city with a mild climate.
History of the Tooth Relic and the Temple of the Tooth
Historical works such as the Datavansha, the Dalada Siritha, and Mahawansha provide historical information on the rise of the left tooth relic of Gautama Buddha in Sri Lanka. The Tooth Relic was brought to Ceylon by Princess Hemamala and the Dantha Prince on the orders of King Kalinga of India. History states that King Kithsirimevan was the King of Sri Lanka when the Tooth Relic was brought to Sri Lanka.
History testifies that the Tooth Relic was worshiped and protected by the kings of Sri Lanka from the time of its arrival in Sri Lanka to the kingdoms of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Dabadeniya, Gampola, Kotte, and Kandy. After the year 1505 AD, the monks and kings made great efforts to protect the Tooth Relic from the Portuguese, Dutch and English invasions of Sri Lanka. The Tooth Relic has been safely passed on to future generations, mainly as a result of those efforts and sacrifices.
The Temple of the Tooth in Kandy was first built by King Wimaladharmasuriya I (1592-1604). Temple of the Tooth, built by King Wimaladharmasooriya I, was destroyed by the Portuguese invaders. The old palace buildings that see today were built by King Sri Weeraparakrama Narendrasinghe (1707-1739). The Nayakkar dynasty, which later became the king of the Kandy Kingdom, also worshiped and protected the Tooth Relic. That is to say, the Lak people have accepted that the King of the country should have custody of the Tooth Relic from the Kandy Kingdom as well as from ancient times.
The Temple of the Tooth in Kandy has a unique culture and dialect. Therefore, the offerings made to the Tooth Relic have unique names. Offerings to the Sacred Tooth Relic at the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy are mainly performed three times a day in the morning, noon and evening. These offerings are known as "Thevava" in the dialect of the Temple of the Tooth. The Nanumura festival is held on Wednesdays as a special offering. These Dalada Poojas are performed by the monks of the Malwathu Asgiriya temples. Temple of the Tooth in Kandy, where the left tooth relic of Gautama Buddha resides, is a Buddhist temple highly revered by Buddhists.
The Esala Perahera Festival can be described as the main pooja festival of the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy. In addition, New Rice Festival, New Year Festival, and Karthika Festival are held. The Dalada Perahera is an important festival not only for the Temple of the Tooth but also for Sri Lanka. The Dalada Perahera showcases the culture, Buddhist religious culture, and artistic aspects of Sri Lanka. The Dalada Perahera consists of the Sri Lankan Dance Tradition, the Kandyan Dance Tradition, the Sabaragamuwa Dance Tradition, and the Low Country Traditions. Also, Dalada Perahera features various art forms including elephants. Kandy Dalada Perahera is a beautiful cultural festival that has gained local and foreign popularity
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| Kandy Tooth Relic procession (Mahanuwara Dalada Perahera) |
Tourists places in and around Dalada Maligawa Temple
Tourists visiting the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy can see the Museum of the Tooth Relic. History of the Tooth Relic and Ancient Antiquities of the Kingdom of Kandy can be viewed at the Tooth Relic Museum.
The Gadaladeniya Temple is also an important tourist destination located in the Kandy District. Tourists visiting the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy can add other attractions located in the Kandy District to their tourist destination. Also, Popular tourist destinations like Nuwara Eliya and Ella can be selected according to the tourist destinations.
Roads to Mahanuwara and other information
Tourists can also reach Kandy by public buses and trains. Tourists traveling from Colombo to Kandy can reach Kandy in about three and a half hours (This time may vary for a variety of reasons). The distance from Colombo to Kandy is approximately 144 KM. Travelers who wish to travel by train from Colombo to Kandy can obtain the train schedule and relevant information from the website of the Sri Lanka Railway Department. (www.railway.gov.lk). The distance from Colombo to Kandy by train is about 120 KM.
Sri Lanka Railway Seats Reservations website- Seat Reservations
Tourists visiting the Temple of the Tooth in Mahanuwara can easily book accommodation or Tourist hotels through a website such as booking.com. Popular and comfortable tourist hotels and lodges located within the city of Kandy as well as outside the city you can choose according to your preference and tourist destination.
Come and receive the blessings of the Tooth Relic and see the pride of the Kingdom of Kandy.