Temple of the Tooth Relic
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| Temple of the Tooth Relic | |
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| Name | Temple of the Tooth Relic |
| Native name | Sri Dalada Maligawa |
| Location | Kandy, Sri Lanka |
| Established | c. 4th–8th centuries (claimed relic arrival) |
| Religious affiliation | Buddhism |
| Sect | Theravada |
| Architecture style | Kandyan, Sri Lankan, South Indian influences |
| Governing body | Malwatte Chapter, Asgiriya Chapter (caretakers historically) |
Temple of the Tooth Relic The Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy is a sacred Buddha reliquary and UNESCO World Heritage Site central to Sri Lankan Buddhism and South Asian history. Located in the royal palace complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy, the shrine houses what is venerated as a canine tooth relic of Gautama Buddha, attracting pilgrims, monarchs, and colonial officials from the Kingdom of Kandy through the eras of Portuguese colonialism in Sri Lanka, Dutch Ceylon, and British Ceylon to the modern Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.
History
The shrine's legendary origins are linked to the transfer of a relic during the reign of King Kavantissa and later custodianship under the House of Vijaya and monarchs such as King Dutugemunu and King Kirti Sri Rajasinha. The tooth relic became a symbol of sovereignty during the Kingdom of Kandy period when rulers like Vira Alakesvara and Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe maintained patronage, while interactions with European powers including the Portuguese Empire, Dutch East India Company, and the British Empire affected access and protection. During the 19th century the palace complex was integrated into colonial governance when the British deposed the Kandyan monarchy via the Kandyan Convention (1815) and later figures such as Sir John D'Oyly influenced administration. The site endured threats during political upheavals including the 1915 Sinhalese-Muslim riots, the 1953 Hartal in Ceylon, and the 1987–1989 JVP insurrection, while more recent events involved restoration after the 1998 Temple of the Tooth attack and security responses by the Sri Lanka Armed Forces and Police Service of Sri Lanka.
Architecture and layout
The complex combines Kandyan architecture with influences from Dravidian architecture and colonial-era additions by officials such as Sir Charles Justin MacCarthy. Key structures include the inner shrine, the royal audience hall or Magul Maduwa (associated with the Kandyan Convention (1815)), the pond and courtyards used by monarchs like King Sri Vikrama Rajasinha, and assembly areas frequented by dignitaries such as Lord Louis Mountbatten during the World War II era in South Asia. Decorative elements feature old Ceylonese murals, timberwork akin to that seen in Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa period temples, and gilded caskets reminiscent of reliquaries in Pagan and Buddhist sites across Southeast Asia. The layout reflects ritual sequencing from outer courtyards to inner sanctum, passing iconography related to Mahavamsa narratives and inscriptions connected to rulers like King Parakramabahu I.
The Tooth Relic and religious significance
The relic is central to Theravada Buddhism on the island and is associated with texts such as the Dāṭhavaṃsa and chronicles like the Mahavamsa that link relic veneration to kingship. Possession of the tooth became interwoven with claims to legitimacy by dynasties including the House of Kalinga and regional rulers allied to the Chola dynasty and Pandya dynasty. Pilgrims from countries like Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Japan visit due to connections with broader Buddhist sacred geography and relic traditions paralleling shrines such as Temple of the Emerald Buddha and Shwedagon Pagoda. Monastic custodianship has involved orders such as the Sangha chapters represented by the Malwatte Chapter and Asgiriya Chapter, whose abbots have engaged with figures like Anagarika Dharmapala and Nicholas Attygalle in religious affairs.
Rituals and festivals
Daily rituals include morning and evening pujas conducted by monks from the Sangha with chants derived from Pali texts and liturgies comparable to practices at Mahabodhi Temple and Jetavana. The annual Esala Perahera is a major procession combining offerings, traditional dancers from the Kandyan court, drummers from lineages linked to Nadagam performers, and elephants parading through routes once used by kings like Sri Vikrama Rajasinha. Ceremonial events often involve state leaders such as D. S. Senanayake, S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike, and Chandrika Kumaratunga in modern times, while earlier patronage came from rulers like King Vimaladharmasuriya I.
Cultural and political role
The relic's symbolic capital has been invoked in legitimizing monarchs from the Anuradhapura Kingdom to the Kandyan Kingdom and influenced interactions with colonial governors including Robert Brownrigg and James Emerson Tennent. During independence movements, leaders such as Don Stephen Senanayake and activists like Ponnambalam Ramanathan recognized the site's role in national identity alongside cultural figures like Arthur C. Clarke who promoted Sri Lankan heritage abroad. Scholarly engagement has included researchers from institutions like the University of Peradeniya, the School of Oriental and African Studies, and the British Museum in debates over provenance and conservation.
Conservation and restoration
Conservation efforts have involved national agencies such as the Department of Archaeology (Sri Lanka), collaborations with international bodies like UNESCO and institutes including the Getty Conservation Institute, and academic projects from universities such as University College London and Colombo University. Restoration after damage has drawn on traditional craftsmen trained in techniques from Gampola and Kandyan crafts schools, while policies have intersected with legal frameworks involving the Archaeological Ordinance and cultural heritage legislation promoted by ministries led by ministers akin to T. B. Jayah.
Tourism and visitor information
The temple is a focal point on routes connecting Kandy to attractions like the Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya, Sigiriya, Dambulla Cave Temple, and Adam's Peak. Visitors often coordinate with operators such as regional offices of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and stay in accommodations ranging from heritage hotels associated with patrons like Sirimavo Bandaranaike to guesthouses near the Kandy Lake. Practical information includes security procedures implemented by the Tourist Police and transport links via Sri Lanka Railways to stations like Kandy railway station. Pilgrims and tourists are advised to observe dress codes and protocols observed by monastic custodians from the Asgiriya Chapter and Malwatte Chapter when entering ritual spaces.
Category:Buddhist temples in Sri Lanka Category:World Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka