The short answer
Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic): what visitors should know first
Yes, this is the one essential stop in Kandy. Go at dawn or for the evening offering when drumming accompanies the ritual, dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered, and allow for queues and a short climb. The relic itself is not displayed; you file past its gilded shrine.
History and context
The story behind Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic)
By the commonly given account, the tooth relic was brought to the island in the reign of Sirimeghavanna (301–328) and enshrined at Anuradhapura, then moved with the seat of power over the centuries. Kandyan kings built the temple that stands today beside their palace; accounts differ on dates, with a first two-storey building attributed to Vimaladharmasuriya I in the late 16th century and the present temple credited to Vira Narendra Sinha.
The Paththirippuwa, an octagonal building surrounded by a moat, was added under Sri Vikrama Rajasinha and now houses the temple library. The golden canopy over the shrine dates from 1987, and the entrance gate was rebuilt after the 1998 bombing.
Useful facts
Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic) facts at a glance
- Location
- Royal Palace complex, beside Kandy Lake
- Faith
- Buddhist (Theravada)
- Dedication
- The tooth relic of the Buddha
- Visitor note
- Shoulders and knees covered; shoes and hats off
- Rituals
- Dawn, midday and evening; Wednesday ceremony of bathing the relic
- Heritage status
- UNESCO World Heritage Site (Sacred City of Kandy), 1988
Why it matters
Why Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic) is worth your time
Sri Lankan Buddhist tradition holds that the tooth relic reached the island in the 4th century and was later kept wherever the capital stood. Possession of it was tied to the right to rule, so successive kings built relic temples beside their palaces. The present temple stands in the former royal palace complex of the Kandyan kingdom and remains the island's most important Buddhist shrine.
UNESCO inscribed the sacred city of Kandy in 1988, with the temple and relic at the heart of the listing. The building has also been a target: a bomb attack in 1998 damaged the front of the palace and the main entrance, which were then rebuilt. For visitors, the combination of living worship and royal architecture explains why Kandy matters to Sri Lankans far beyond tourism.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Evening ritual
The drummers and horn players at the offering time give the shrine its atmosphere; arrive early to get a place in the queue.
- 02
The Paththirippuwa
The moated octagonal pavilion beside the lake is a quiet counterpoint to the crowded shrine.
- 03
The shrine's carvings
Look at the ivory-carved doors and elephant carvings at the entrance before you join the queue.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Approach on foot from the lake side, leaving shoes and hats at the shoe stand before the gate, and make sure shoulders and knees are covered; sarongs have usually been available to hire at the entrance if you arrive in shorts. After the security check you cross a moat to the entrance, walk past the carved moonstone at the foot of the steps and join the queue towards the upper floor.
The temple's rituals are held three times a day, at dawn, around midday and in the evening, with traditional drummers and horn players in the hall. These are the best moments to visit, and also the most crowded. The relic is kept in a casket inside a gilded chamber and is not shown to ordinary visitors. What you see is the shrine, the offerings of lotus and jasmine, and the devotion of the people around you.
On the way out, give time to the octagonal Paththirippuwa beside the lake and the museums next door. If you can only fit one stop in Kandy, this is it, but take it slowly. Keep voices low, never turn your back to a Buddha image for a photograph, and treat the wait as part of the visit.
Plan with confidence
Visit as a guest, not a spectator.
- Cover shoulders and knees, and take shoes and hats off at the stand
- Arrive at least 30 minutes before the ritual you want to see
- Do not photograph during the offering or turn your back on a Buddha image
- Carry little: bags are checked at the gate
- Confirm current fees and ritual times before you go
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Royal Palace complex beside Kandy Lake, central Kandy
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours, longer during a ritual
- Best time
- Early morning or the evening ritual; avoid full-moon (Poya) days unless you want the crowds
- Walking level
- Moderate
- Senior comfort
- The shrine is on the upper floor, reached by stairs, and the ritual hours bring slow, dense queues with no seating. Go on a weekday, arrive early, and ask staff about the easier route if climbing is difficult. Shoes come off, so floors can be hot or damp.
- Tickets and access
- Foreign visitors normally pay an entry fee; locals do not. Photography has often carried an extra charge and is discouraged during rituals. Check current fees and hours with the temple or the Sri Lanka tourism authority before you go.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic)
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
The shrine is on the upper floor, reached by stairs, and the ritual hours bring slow, dense queues with no seating. Go on a weekday, arrive early, and ask staff about the easier route if climbing is difficult. Shoes come off, so floors can be hot or damp.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Can you see the tooth relic itself?
No. The relic is kept inside a casket within a gilded chamber and is not shown in the ordinary way. Visitors see the shrine, its offerings and the ritual.
What should I wear?
Cover your shoulders and knees and remove shoes and hats. If you arrive in shorts, hiring a sarong at the entrance has usually been possible, but do not rely on it.
When is the best time to visit?
Early morning or the evening ritual, on a weekday if possible. July and August bring the Esala Perahera, a procession honouring the relic, with very large crowds.
Sources and further reading
- Wikipedia: Temple of the Tooth
- Jetwing: Kandy's Temple of the Sacred Tooth, tips for visiting
- UNESCO: Sacred City of Kandy
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
