Temple of the Sacred

Tooth Relic

The Most Sacred Place in Sri Lanka

The Sri Dalada Maligawa — Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic — is the most sacred Buddhist shrine in Sri Lanka and one of the most revered in the entire Buddhist world. It houses the left canine tooth of the Buddha, brought to Sri Lanka in the 4th century AD, which has been venerated as the ultimate symbol of sovereignty and spiritual legitimacy by Sri Lankan rulers for over 1,600 years.

"TSri Lanka's most sacred Buddhist shrine — the Dalada Maligawa in Kandy houses the left canine tooth of the Buddha, venerated for over 1,600 years."

4th c AD

Relic arrived

UNESCO 1988

World Heritage

3× daily

Puja ceremonies

LKR 2,000

Entry fee

Ticket Prices

Non-SAARC Adult

LKR 2,000

All foreign visitors same price

SAARC Adult

LKR 1,500

SAARC + Thailand & Myanmar same rate

Child 5–12 yrs

Free

Approx. half price

Toddler / Infant

Free

Under 6 years old

Best Time to Visit

Puja Ceremonies

6:30 AM / 9:30 AM / 6:30 PM

Stand on the summit as Sigiriya Rock is lit in golden sunrise light — the most photographed view of Sigiriya that exists. Arrive at the base by 5:30 AM.

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Esala Perahera

July / August

The sky turns red over the Knuckles Range behind you. Equally beautiful in the opposite direction to sunrise.

Midday Weekdays

11 AM – 2 PM

The exposed summit boulders absorb heat intensely. Midday visits in the dry season (Jan–Apr) are uncomfortably hot.

Essential:

Best time to visit: The 6:30 PM evening puja is the most atmospheric — the temple is lit, the courtyard fills with white-clad worshippers and the drumming resonates through the building. Arrive by 6:00 PM.

Gate Opens

6:00 AM

Morning Puja

6:30 – 8:00 AM

Mid Puja

9:30 – 11:00 AM

Evening Puja

6:30 – 8:00 PM

Dress code strictly enforced: full-length trousers/skirt and covered shoulders required. Sarongs available to borrow at the entrance gate. Remove shoes before the main shrine building.

Key Highlights

The Sacred Tooth Relic

Active working cave temple at the base of the rock. A magnificent 5th-century reclining Buddha (attributed to King Kashyapa's era) occupies the main cave. Remove shoes and dress modestly before entering.

The Puja Ceremonies

The final section involves scrambling over large exposed boulders. No equipment needed, but confidence on uneven terrain is required. The scramble opens onto a flat platform with unobstructed views.

The Temple Architecture

Looking directly south-west at Sigiriya Rock rising from an unbroken jungle canopy. On clear days the view extends to Dambulla, the Knuckles Range and the shimmer of ancient irrigation tanks on the horizon.

Alut Maligawa

Brahmi inscriptions dating to the 3rd century BC survive in the cave walls at the base. Some of the oldest written evidence of Buddhism in Sri Lanka.

World Buddhism Museum

The east-facing summit provides the definitive photography angle of Sigiriya Rock — backlit at sunset, front-lit at sunrise. The most reproduced image of Sigiriya in existence is taken from this spot.

Esala Perahera

Monks may be present in morning meditation in the cave area. The site retains a genuine spiritual quality absent from the more touristic Sigiriya. Maintain respectful silence near the temple.

543 BC

The Relic Preserved

Anuradhapura is established as the royal capital by King Pandukabhaya. The city begins its 1,400-year role as the centre of Sri Lankan civilisation.

313 AD

Arrival in Sri Lanka

Mahinda, son of Emperor Ashoka, arrives at Mihintale (12 km away) and introduces Buddhism to Sri Lanka. King Devanampiya Tissa is converted and immediately begins building the city's Buddhist infrastructure.

16th c AD

Current Temple Begun

King Devanampiya Tissa plants the sapling of the Sacred Bodhi tree — a cutting from the original tree in Bodh Gaya — which continues to grow and be worshipped to this day.

1765

Reconstruction

After driving out South Indian invaders, King Dutugemunu builds the Ruwanwelisaya and Mirisavetiya dagobas, cementing Anuradhapura's status as the Buddhist capital of Asia.

1988

UNESCO Inscription

After driving out South Indian invaders, King Dutugemunu builds the Ruwanwelisaya and Mirisavetiya dagobas, cementing Anuradhapura's status as the Buddhist capital of Asia.

"Whoever holds the Relic of the Tooth rules over Sri Lanka. The Tooth is not merely a relic — it is the sovereignty of the island made visible."

— Datavamsa (Chronicle of the Tooth Relic)

Visitor Guide

Essential Tips

01 Torch for Pre-Dawn

Carry a phone torch for the lower forest section before sunrise light arrives.

02 Scrambling Shoes

The final boulder section requires closed-toe shoes with grip. Not sandals.

03 Respect the Temple

Remove shoes, dress modestly. Monks may be meditating — maintain silence.

04 No Water on Trail

Carry water from the base. No stalls on the trail itself.

05 Combine with Sigiriya

Do Pidurangala sunrise (5:30 AM), then Sigiriya Rock mid-morning — a perfect full day.

06 Cash Only

LKR 1,000 at the gate. Bring exact change. No card payments.