According to the Sri Lankan legend, when Buddha died, his body was cremated, in Kushinagar (today this is a famous pilgrimage town) in India. It is believed that Buddha’s left molar was taken and given to one of the Indian kings, as a sign of respect. The tooth became cultural heritage and it was well preserved in the city called Puri, located on the eastern Indian coast.
As the time passed a legend had it that the one who possesses the tooth was the chosen one to rule the earth. From that moment many wars occurred and each Indian king (it is important to say that India had many kings and rulers at the time) wanted the Buddha’s tooth for himself. Buddha’s tooth ended up in the hands of numerous kings and some of them even got obsessed with it. Numerous rulers even had an idea to destroy the relic. Finally, the tooth ended up in the hands of the king Guaseva. Since his reign was under attack by others who wanted to takeover the Buddha’s tooth, king Guaseva has decided to send his daughter, princess Hemamali and his husband, price Dantha, with Buddha’s tooth out of the city. The legend says that the princess Hemamali hid the tooth inside her hair and transported it in Sri Lanka. From that night on it was believed that Sri Lanka was chosen, being the pure ground, to spread Buddhism for the next 2500 years. Young Indian couple was welcomed with joy in Sri Lanka and the tooth was placed in a newly built sanctuary.
From the moment the Buddha’s tooth arrived in Sri Lanka, this country was under constant siege. Indian kings even paid high ransom to the Portuguese colonial forces if they could bring them the tooth back. However, Sri Lankan king made a decision to constantly move the royal capital from one Sri Lankan city to another. In each of these cities there was a new sanctuary built for the tooth preservation. This is the reason that the conquerors could not know where to actually look for the tooth. Finally, the holy relic was brought to Kandy, where it is located even today, in the magnificent Temple of the Buddha’s tooth.
The temple is truly beautiful and every visitor may feel the inner piece one he/she enters this religious place. Visitors will have to leave their shoes in front of the temple as it is only possible to enter barefoot. In front of the temple there is wardrobe where you may leave your shoes.
Visitors will also see numerous flower sellers who sell lotus a jasmine flower. Locals buy these flowers and bring the inside of the temple. They put the flowers in a large table in an upper floor of the temple and then they sit on the floor and pray. This scene is truly breathtaking and once may witness the beauty of their religion.
Here visitors will also have the opportunity to visit museums dedicated to the history and rulers of Sri Lanka.
The Temple is on the list of UNECSO world heritage sites.
The ticket price for the Temple of the Buddha’s tooth in Kandy
The ticket price for the Temple of the Buddha’s tooth is 1500 LRK per person.
Working hours of the Temple of the Buddha’s Tooth
The Temple of Buddha’s Tooth is open every day from 5:30am to 8:00 pm.
What is the best time to visit the temple:
During the following hours is the best time to visit the Temple of the Tooth:
