Buddhist Temple

How did a tooth become the most revered object in Sri Lanka? Let’s unravel the captivating story of the Buddhist Temple of the Tooth, right here in Kandy. This temple, also known as Sri Dalada Maligawa, isn’t just a beautiful building. It’s the heart of Sri Lankan Buddhism, a treasure chest holding a relic of immeasurable value: a tooth of the Buddha himself. The story begins with the Buddha’s death, his cremation in Kusinara, India. From the ashes, a left canine tooth was recovered, a sacred remnant of the enlightened one. It was entrusted to King Brahmadatta, beginning its long journey. The tooth became a symbol of power, the belief taking root that whoever possessed it held the right to rule. Centuries passed, the tooth traveling from ruler to ruler until, in the 4th century, it found its way to Sri Lanka. Princess Hemamali and Prince Dantha, on a secret mission from her father, King Guhasiva of Kalinga, smuggled the tooth to the island, hiding it within the princess’s hair. King Kirti Sri Megavanna of Sri Lanka received the precious relic and enshrined it in Anuradhapura. The Buddhist Temple of the Tooth we see today wasn’t built overnight. The first temple, constructed around 1600 by King Vimaladharmasuriya I, fell victim to Portuguese invaders in 1603. Rebuilt and destroyed again, the current temple rose in the 18th century, thanks to King Kirthi Sri Rajasinghe. Within the two-story inner shrine, the tooth rests on a golden lotus flower, encased in a series of jeweled caskets. It’s a sight rarely seen by the public, but the devotion it inspires is palpable. The air is thick with the scent of incense and lotus blossoms offered by monks who perform rituals three times daily. The temple has faced its share of turmoil. Bombings in 1989 and 1998 caused significant damage, testaments to the volatile political climate. Yet, each time, the temple was painstakingly restored, a symbol of resilience and unwavering faith. The Buddhist Temple of the Tooth stands as a testament to devotion. It’s a place where history, spirituality, and political power intertwine. It’s a place where the story of a single tooth continues to shape a nation.