The greatly venerated Temple of the Tooth in Kandy is regarded as being one of the most significant religious sites by the Buddhists of Sri Lanka. Numerous sightseers also visit this popular cultural attraction. One of the Kandy hotels from which The Temple of the Tooth can conveniently be visited would be the Cinnamon Citadel Kandy.
The Temple of the Tooth inherits a rich and colourful history. The tooth relic itself is believed to have been secretly brought over to Sri Lanka in the 4th century by the princess Hemamali so as to protect it from Hindu aggressors. In the island nation, the relic was accorded great reverence, being regarded as a national treasure. When the capital of the nation was moved to Kandy, the monarchs of Kandy constructed the temple which exists today to house it.
Visitors will see that the external appearance of the temple complex is not grand or ornate. Rather, you will see that the buildings present a tranquil sight with their white walls and reddish roofs. The temple compound is attractively situated bordering the picturesque Kandy Lake.
On the other hand, you will see that the temple buildings’ interiors are elaborately carved and embellished with ivory, lacquer and precious woods. Surrounding the whole compound is a low wall, also painted white and featuring numerous small openings arranged in a pattern. The tooth relic itself is kept within an inner sanctum, stored in jewelled caskets and resting on a gold receptacle.
A popular festival associated with the Temple of the Tooth is the splendid procession known as the Esala Perahera. At this unique event, you will see a vibrant and colourful procession featuring elephants, jugglers, torch bearers, acrobats, musicians and representatives from aristocratic families of Sri Lanka. As many as a million spectators can usually be seen during this festival, making it one of Asia’s outstanding cultural spectacles.
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+
