Since ancient times the central part of Sri Lanka has always been the heart of the island. The city of Kandy boasts a rich heritage and unmatched scenic appeal. A holiday in Sri Lanka is not complete without a visit to Kandy, for this city is truly a treasure-trove of attractions. Among its many wonders is the immaculate Dalada Maligawa, or the Temple of the tooth. This is by far the most sacred temple in the island.
Nestled within the picturesque Kandy Lake, amidst ever green mountains, the Dalada Maligawa stands tall as a symbol of beauty and faith. Every day it receives thousands of visitors; many of whom are local worshippers and others, tourists. The Temple of the Tooth as the name suggests enshrines the upper left canine of the Lord Buddha himself. The story of the tooth entering the island is just as intriguing as the temple itself. It was in fact removed from the Buddha as he lay on the funeral pyre and was sent to Sri Lanka in the year 313 AD hidden in the hair of princess Hemamalee. Since the day it landed on the island there were several attempts to steal and destroy this sacred relic all of which failed tremendously. It was soon understood that the relic needed stronger protection and hence the Dalada Maligawa came to life.
The Temple was built sometime between 1687 and 1707 when the capital of the island was Kandy. Over the years several renovations took place, but the heart of the structure is still very much the same. The Dalada Maligawa contains within its walls a wealth of Buddhist knowledge. Throughout the temple you will come across statues of the Buddha in different positions and an entire wall with paintings depicting the life of the Buddha. The relic is located on the top of the temple enshrined in a gold lotus flower that is further encased in jeweled caskets. The 2 story inner shrine is well protected and marked by 2 large elephant tusks.
Enhance your holiday in Sri Lanka with a visit to this sacred religious site. For an unmatched Sri Lanka holiday travel experience, choose one of the Sri Lanka tour packages.
Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry. Google+