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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, 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

    "We are an older couple celebrating a lot of years of marriage (and hiking) in Sri Lanka in February this year, for two weeks, and three days in the Maldives. Although we love to drive, we chose to go with a driver-guide, after planning the trip completely independently. (It turned out he might help us in the planning and selection of hotels, we own). The main advantage is reaching the sites, some of which are tired, refreshed after someone else used to bad roads, with bad signage - If you are i..." Sam

    "Thank you Cyril for caring us and giving a very enjoyable tour to all of our family while we are on holiday in Sri Lanka. Definitely we will recommend you to our friends and relatives. Hitendra Molleti and family" Hitendra Molleti

    "Cyril was absolutly Fantastic,Veryhelpful, Patient and extremly knowledgable. Wouldn't hesitate to recommend and travel with him again. Whole tour was well organized and perfectly done. Kate Williams and family from UK 04th January 2015" Kate Williams UK

    "I want to thank Mr. Cyril for this 17 days long tour. He is an excellent chauffeur guide, always on time with a car more than the clean. He knows all the places in the Island and organized very well. Most of all, he is very kind person, always with a smile and ready to help. I want to reccommond him to all my friends. Ria Deleu Belgium Travel period 25 Jan 2020 - 10 Feb 2020 ( 17 days)" Mrs. Ria Deleu from Belgium

    "Thank you Cyril for making our Christmas holiday fun so smoothly and easy. We loved Sri Lanka and look forward to retuning again. Cyril, your knowledge and service was outstanding and it was so refreshing to have such a very highlevel of service. We will be sure to recomond your service and travel agency to our friends. Please feel free to use us as a reference, you can use my email or phone number to clients." Bruce Larson & family from USA

    "Excellent tour guide Cyril is a great tour guide and is very knowledgeable. He made our entire trip super comfortable. His vehicles are clean and well maintained. He is also very flexible if changes are needed. Definitely recommend!" Berenice Coelho

    "Dear Cyril, We want to thank you so much for making our trip so unforgetable and delightful. We received your name from our friends lives in Geneva who travelled with you in January 2009 and they gave you such a high recommendation that we decided to conbtact you for our two weeks trip this year. Although we have been to Sri Lanka a few times already. We have never found such an excellent driver and guide. It has been a great pleasure to visit Colombo with you and then to Koggala for two day tr..." Mr.Gabor Kato & Mrs.Ann Kato

    "We had a trip planned with Cyril just when international travel closed down due to Covid. Cyril was great in planning a trip with me that had a great deal of flexibility and tailored to visit the places we wanted to seeUnfortunately we were unable to take the trip. Cyril's response to that was great, he dealt with everything for us in terms of cancellationsHe has kept in touch with us since then and has already contacted me with a revised plan for our trip to Sri Lanka. Which we will book with h..." Brian O: Keefe - Perth - Australia

    "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

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