In the streets of Kandy that surround the Royal Palace complex, white-clad pilgrims gather with frangipani and lotus blossoms every day. They make their offerings to the Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa) in Kandy, a major hub for Buddhist pilgrims and aptly home to Lord Buddha’s left upper canine tooth. Legend has it that the treasured relic was taken from Buddha’s funeral pyre in India and secretly brought into Sri Lanka in 313 AD, concealed in the hair of Princess Hemamali. The political status of a city was once determined by the location of the tooth, the 17^th century temple itself stands alongside royal residences dating back to Kandy’s time as Sri Lanka’s last ancient capital. Today the city is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site mainly because of its notable temple.

Experience Overview

Enter Sri Dalada Maligawa at the impressive Mahawahalkada steps and explore the vibrant, scented spaces of the most iconic temple in Sri Lanka with your knowledgeable host. Already with offering in hand from one of the many flower vendors outside, proceed through the ornate passageways which lead into the heart of the building. Kandyan architecture houses intricately adorned scenes from the Kandy Esala Perahera festival and ornate Buddhist-influenced décor. Your host will guide you to the main shrine to present your offering alongside worshippers from far and wide as they make puja (prayers and offerings). As you explore the rest of complex, hear more about Kandy, its festivals and the Royal Palace’s place in Sri Lankan history.

Includes

Host, entrance fees, sarongs, socks, water

Duration

1.5 hrs

Difficulty

Easy

Suitable for children

6+ yrs

Meeting time

9AM, 12:30PM, 4PM

What to wear or bring along

Conservative dress, flip flops

Private or not

Private

Gallery

Kandy’s Temple of the Tooth - Experience - Sri Lanka In Style

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Managing Expectations

“ It is important to remember that, whilst they are experts in their field, the people who run or host our experiences are not necessarily used to working in the tourism industry and may not offer the level of service you would find at a five-star hotel. For example, instead of a formal lecture, you may get a relaxed conversation where open discussion is encouraged. All of our hosts are, however, extremely engaging, knowledgeable and passionate about educating visitors about their chosen subject and we have worked with them to ensure that they deliver worthwhile, fulfilling experiences. We welcome feedback, so please let us know what you thought and if you think any improvements could be made to the experiences we offer. ”

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Kandy’s Temple of the Tooth