Ever since the Sacred Tooth Relic was brought across the shores from India by Prince Danta and Princess Hemamala, the kings and rulers of Sri Lanka or former Ceylon have taken every effort to protect, preserve and celebrate its presence in the country. At one time, it was commonly held that whoever who was in possession of the sacred relic would rule the country, hence it moved every time the kingdom changed. It has now come to rest in a befitting residence built for it in the hill capital of Kandy, which was the final kingdom of the country.
The Sri Dalada Maligawa; the official home of the Sacred Tooth Relic and a venerated temple of the millions of devout Buddhists, occupies a prominent location in the Kandy city adjacent to the Kandy Lake. The monumental structure was built by King Wimaladarmasuriya I in the year 1595. The temple is visited by most passersby regardless of his or her religious persuasion even though the relic per se is kept hidden in several gem studded caskets that have been gifted to the temple.
Every now and then under the direction of the chief prelate, the relic is brought out for public exposition and to evoke blessings upon the country and the countrymen. The crowds that gather at such times are overwhelming; they are passionate, spiritual and dedicated, thus would spend hours on end just to catch a glimpse of the relic of their great spiritual leader.
To enter the temple, one must cross a protective moat and at the foyer will be greeted by a moonstone made according to Kandyan architecture. It is flanked on the right by the octagonal Paththirippuwa. The main shrine is divided into two, the lower story and the upper story; floral offerings are made to the Buddha at both places, but the Sacred Tooth Relic is placed in a separate chamber on the upper floor.
The peace and silence of any other temple could not be as noticeable as that of the Sri Dalada Maligawa; occasionally one would hear the steady chanting of stanzas by devotees, but otherwise unlike other Sri Lanka tours, a trip to the Maligawa would be a tranquil experience. Typical Sri Lanka holidays include a visit to a temple, therefore do not miss out; make your plans with Elegant Travels to have an authentic travel Sri Lanka experience.
Chandrishan Williams is a travel writer who writes under the pen name, Caleb Falcon. He specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+
