Temple of the sacred tooth relic(Sri Daladaa Maaligaawa)

Kandy was the last kingdom of Sri lanka.In ancient Sri lanka there was a rule that who has the ownership of the sacred tooth owns the crown of the country.So it was the symbol of sovereignty of Sri lanka.It was king's responsibility to protect the sacred tooth.When ever there was a kingdom,(Anuradhapura,Polonnaruwa,Gampola etc)there was a separate palace built for the sacred tooth.As mentioned kandy was the last kingdom the palace build for the sacred tooth relic during that period was Sri daladaa Maaligawa which is the temple of the sacred tooth relic and there we still have our precious sacred tooth relic inside.

At the temple things you can watch and appreciate would be
1)the temple and its structure
2)the museum adjoining the temple
3)room housing the sacred tooth(during poojas)
4)might see some elephants as well if you are lucky
5)Kandy Esala perahara on July (if you are very lucky)

If you want to know about the Sacred tooth relic-it is said to have been snatched from the flames of lord Buddha's pyre in 543BC and brought to Sri lanka during the 4th century AD hidden in the hair of a princess for its safety.

To worship the sacred tooth Sri lankans traditionally do a perahara since ancient times.If you have hot seen a kandy Esala perahara you are unlucky.It is a one of very colourful events happening since 15th century.The Perahara consists of traditional sinhala music and kandyan dancing plus it has a large number of charming beautifully decorated glistening elephants as well.Esala perahara is an event which happens annually on July.Watch Esala perehara video

If you want to know more about temple of the sacred tooth relic you can visit
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