Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
The temple housing Buddha's tooth is Sri Lanka's holiest shrine and a place determining the legitimacy of power for 16 centuries. Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy is not just a temple but a symbol of Sinhalese identity, a pilgrimage center, and a UNESCO-listed architectural complex.
The Relic
According to legend, the tooth was retrieved from Buddha's funeral pyre in 543 BC. In the 4th century, Princess Hemamala brought it to Sri Lanka, hidden in her hair. Since then, the tooth has been the island's talisman: whoever possesses the tooth rules the country.
Temple Complex
White walls, red roofs, wo...
