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KANDY - SRI DALADA MALIGAWA

KANDY - SRI DALADA MALIGAWA

The Tooth Relic Temple, also known as the Sri Dalada Maligawa, is one of the most sacred and significant Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Sri Lanka. Located in the picturesque city of Kandy, the temple houses the sacred relic of the tooth of Lord Buddha, making it a place of great reverence and historical importance for Buddhists around the world. This majestic temple and its religious significance have earned it a UNESCO World Heritage Site status.

The origins of the Tooth Relic Temple date back to the 4th century BCE when a tooth relic of Lord Buddha was brought to Sri Lanka from India. The relic was believed to be one of the Buddha's teeth, saved from his funeral pyre. Sri Lanka's ancient kings vied for possession of this sacred relic as it was believed that whoever possessed the tooth relic had the divine right to rule the island.

The original construction of the Temple of the Tooth can be attributed to King Vimaladharmasuriya I, a prominent ruler of the Kandyan kingdom who reigned from 1592 to 1604 AD. King Vimaladharmasuriya I understood the religious and political significance of possessing the sacred tooth relic, and he wanted to establish a grand and secure temple to house the revered relic. The construction of the temple was completed in the early 17th century.

The Tooth Relic Temple is a fine example of traditional Sri Lankan architecture and craftsmanship. The temple complex comprises several buildings, each with its unique design and significance. The entrance to the temple is adorned with a grand stone staircase and beautifully carved wooden doors, setting the tone for the spiritual experience that awaits visitors.

Once inside, visitors will encounter the main shrine, known as the "Vahalé," which houses the golden casket containing the tooth relic. This inner chamber is an exquisite display of intricate wood carvings, decorative paintings, and shimmering golden embellishments.

The Temple of the Tooth is not only a place of worship but also a center for religious and cultural festivities. Every day, the temple conducts several religious rituals and offerings to honor the sacred relic. Visitors can witness these ceremonies, which involve drummers, dancers, and traditional musicians, creating a vibrant and captivating atmosphere.

One of the most celebrated festivals at the temple is the Esala Perahera, also known as the Kandy Perahera. This grand annual procession takes place during the month of Esala (July/August) and lasts for several nights. The sacred tooth relic is paraded through the streets of Kandy on the back of a lavishly decorated elephant, accompanied by dancers, drummers, fire performers, and a colorful array of traditional performers. The Esala Perahera attracts thousands of devotees and tourists from all over the world, making it a mesmerizing spectacle of culture and faith.

The Temple of the Tooth holds immense cultural significance for the people of Sri Lanka. It not only represents a major center of Buddhist spirituality but also serves as a symbol of national pride and unity. The temple plays a crucial role in preserving and promoting Sri Lanka's cultural heritage and traditions.

The Tooth Relic Temple is open to visitors throughout the year, but it is essential to dress modestly and respectfully when entering the temple premises. It is customary to remove shoes and hats before entering the main shrine. Visitors are also required to maintain a peaceful and reverent demeanor while inside the temple.

Regarding the tooth relic itself, the contents of the casket at the Temple of the Tooth, believed to house the sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha, are not visible to the public or ordinary visitors. The tooth relic is kept within multiple caskets, nested within each other. Only the custodians and high-ranking Buddhist monks responsible for the temple's administration have access to the innermost casket that contains the actual tooth relic.

The secrecy surrounding the tooth relic is due to its immense religious and cultural significance, and it is believed that the relic possesses great spiritual power. Protecting and preserving the relic is of paramount importance, and access to it is strictly controlled to maintain its sanctity and reverence within the Buddhist tradition.

In conclusion, the Tooth Relic Temple in Kandy, Sri Lanka, stands as a testament to the country's rich religious and cultural history. It continues to be a cherished site of pilgrimage for Buddhists and a captivating destination for travelers seeking to immerse themselves in the spiritual essence of this beautiful island nation. Visitors can partake in daily ceremonies and witness the grandeur of the temple while respecting the sacredness and privacy of the tooth relic housed within.

 


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    "Dear Cyril, We just got back to Singapore today...I am will be back to work tomorrow.. :) Sad but true ha ha……. We were very lucky to have you as our guide. I don’t think there will be anyone else who could have done an excellent job that you have done. We will spread the word around and will surely sell your services...do keep in touch so we can work something out. Thanks for the photos they are great Will visit your website soon and put in some good words for you.. Ti..." Shuhanth Haridas from Singapore

    "Dear Cyril, We would like to thank youthat you have arrange ourholiday which we have enjoyed so much, that we can call them the best holiday we have ever had. You are avery helpful guide- because you know about your beautiful country very much. We also appriciate your advices that you gave us during our two weeks long journey and your  perfect trip arrangement we have enjoyed every single day. All the best to you and your family. Hope to see you again. Martha & Jarda   08 No..." Martha & Jaroslav Jirout

    "  Hi Cyril   We have had a fabulous holiday driven and guided by Cyril from CYRIL TOURS. Hotel recommendations were perfect and knowledge supertb. We would happy to introduce CYRIL TOURS to our frieinds and relatives. Thank you for the photos you are taken and send to us, they are a great reminder of our amazing experience in Sri Lanka.   We had a truly memorable time and we are grateful to you for all your knowledge and guidance throughout our trip, it would not have been..." Mr. Richard & Mrs. Bridget Simson and family from

    "We found Cyril on-line and after checking with lots of other guides we decided he is the one for us, that decision was the best one we did for our trip From the beginning, in our emails, Cyril listen to us and was very helpful, he gave us information and helped us to create the best trip for us.We had 10 days trip, for our honeymoon, to many parts of Sri-Lanka. the country is amazing, green, nice people and good food.Cyril was a great driver and even greater guide, he has so much knowledge and e..." Coral and Oded from Israel

    "We had excellent  8 days tour with CYRIL TOURS. It's all credit goes to Mr. Cyril. From the welcoming at Air port to hotels we stayed,food we had and driver who was provided was excellent. We always introduce CYRIL TOURS to all who wiling to tarvel to Sri Lanka. Swaran Kaur and family Kuantan - Malaysia 2012 May 18 - 25 May" Swaran Kaur and family from Malaysia

    "                  Our Tour in Sri Lanka Traveling through the beautiful Sri Lanka has been great. Cyril warmly welcomed us at the airport and drove us with his always clean car in every part of the country. He provided daily information about the history and the different sites of Sri Lanka. Also, he taught us a lot about Sri Lankan culture, starting from food, traditions, animals and nature, and suggested authentic and less known places we c..." FILIPPO MASI FROM ITALY

    "Cyril was an excellent guide and gave us a very good insight into the history and cultures of Sri Lanka. He was always polite, helpful and prompt. His driving was always calm and controlled - unlike some of the other vehicles we saw!!! We would recommend him to others traveling to Sri Lanka. WH - UK - January 2011" Wilson Harland

    "  Dear Cyril We spent a wonderful week with you. We were so pleased to have to visited your beautiful country and we will recommend you for all of our relatives and to friends. It has been a pleasure to spend these days with you, we will never forget nice smile on your face all the time. Thank you and if one day you would like to visit Switzerland we will be raedy take you around snowy mountans! All the best, Franz family" Dr. David franz from Swiss

    "Dear Cyril, Thank you for truly amazing oneweek tour your beautiful country.We have seen so many amazing sites in such a short space of time. From Sigiriya to beautiful temples, Scenic tea gardens of Nuwaraeliya the colonial land ark hotel Mount Lavinia. We have seen so much more. You have made this an utterly memorable holiday with your expert knowledge, amazing, facinating stories, patience, careful+safe drivingand your unforgetable smile. We will cetainly recommonding your tours to all of fr..." Sara Kitson - UK

    "Dear Cyril, Here are some photos for you as we promised, and also little gift to you. Here is some photos of elephant boy which we were took on elephant ride. Please give to them when you go to Habarana again. We are very grateful to you for your services that you have done to make our holiday in this beautiful country. Still we are thinking over our nice trip with you. It was fantastic, really! Here in Holland, life is normal again. Greeting for your wife and daughter too. George and Cala ..." George and Cala

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