The Temple of the Sacred Tooth is a sacred Buddhist place of worship, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of the temple and the legend behind it. Let’s take a look at its incredible story.
History
The legend states that Lord Buddha’s tooth was secretly brought to Sri Lanka in 313 AD, concealed in the hair of Princess Hemamali, who was fleeing her besieged kingdom in India. The tooth eventually found its home within Kandy, the capital at the time, and was placed in the city’s finest temple.
The Temple
Known as Sri Dalada Maligawa, the temple is quite large, and consists of a complex that is clustered around Kandy Lake, creating a tranquil and beautiful ambience. The interiors of the temple are exquisite, and intricately decorated with masterfully carved woodwork, decorated with ivory and lacquer.
The Festival of the Tooth
This takes place over ten days, and is one of the most famous festivals in Asia. During this time you can see traditional dancers of all kinds, even fire-dancers, lavishly decorated elephants, and all kinds of incredibly festivities. Tours in Sri Lanka are particularly high during this festival.
Points to Note
Since this is still a temple, one should dress as modestly as possible, covering one’s shoulders and legs. Keep that in mind if you’re travelling from a hotel in Colombo such as Colombo Court Hotel & Spa.
Fritzjames Stephen is a travel writer, who writes content based on the myriad of experiences and indulgences that the world has to offer travellers across all walks of life. Google+
