Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa)

The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic — Sri Dalada Maligawa — is the most important Buddhist shrine in Sri Lanka. It holds a relic believed to be a tooth of the Buddha, brought to the island in the 4th century AD. For centuries, whoever held the relic held the right to rule, so it moved with each royal capital before coming to rest in Kandy. The temple stands within the old royal palace complex on the shore of Kandy Lake and is part of the UNESCO-listed Sacred City of Kandy.

What you'll see

• The octagonal pavilion (Paththirippuwa) facing the lake — the temple's most recognisable feature.
• The drumming hall, where hewisi drummers play during each puja.
• The upper shrine room, where the relic is kept inside a series of nested golden caskets. You won't see the tooth itself; during puja the chamber doors open and devotees file past with flower offerings.
• The Alut Maligawa, a large hall of Buddha images gifted by Buddhist countries, with paintings telling the relic's story.
• The royal palace buildings and museums in the same complex, including the hall with the preserved body of Raja, a famous Perahera tusker.

Puja times

Ceremonies are held at dawn, around midday and in the evening every day. The evening puja (usually from about 6:30 pm) is the most atmospheric, with drums, incense and crowds of worshippers dressed in white. Confirm the day's times at the gate. Poya (full-moon) days are especially busy and moving to witness.

Dress code and etiquette

• Cover shoulders and knees; white or pale clothing is respectful.
• Remove shoes (there is a shoe counter) and hats. Socks are fine on hot stone.
• Never pose with your back to a Buddha image for photos, and don't point your feet towards a shrine when sitting.
• Keep your voice low in the shrine room and follow the flow of the queue.

Foreign visitors buy a ticket at the entrance; bags are security-checked. Read more in our guide to temple etiquette in Sri Lanka.

How long to spend

Allow 1.5–2 hours for the temple and its museums. Combine it with a walk around Kandy Lake and dinner in town after the evening puja.