The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic also known as Sri Dalada Maligawa locally, is a place of great spiritual, cultural and historic significance. Here is your guide to visiting it.
Who can visit
The place of worship is open to both foreigners and locals. Do note that the religious complex can get extremely crowded as it attracts many tourists and worshippers alike.
Opening hours
The temple is open to visitors and worshippers from 05.30 am to 20.30 pm at night. On Wednesdays, symbolic bathing of the sacred relic with a special herbal preparation made from fragrant flowers and scented water and is called Nanumura Mangalaya.
How to get there
The temple is just an eight-minute walk from Kandy town if you prefer to walk. Alternatively, a tuk-tuk ride from the centre of the town will cost you anywhere from LKR 300 to 500. The temple can be reached easily from most hotels in Kandy including the likes of Earl’s Regent with ease.
What to wear
When it comes to dressing rules when visiting the sacred temple, the regulations are quite strict. Do note that sleeveless clothing, low-cut, shorts, miniskirts, hats and shoes are prohibited. In case you happen to be in shorts or skirts, there are vendors by the gate who sell colourful sarongs which you can use to cover up before stepping in.
Footwear
Do note that one will be required to explore the temple complex with no footwear. A designated area to store your footwear safely is available right outside the temple for a nominal fee.
