Temple of the Sacred Tooth, Sri Lanka
When in Kandy, you must visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. It is a place of worship established in the 16th century AD and is the most revered site in Sri Lanka. It is locally known as the Sri Dalada Maligawa. The shrine overlooks the vast expanse of Kandy Lake and is located adjacent to the former Kingdom of Kandy's royal palace complex.
In order to preserve the Buddha Relic in this place of safety, it was proclaimed that whoever keeps and guards it is automatically given the authority to rule the nation. The object is an important representation of Sinhalese identity and pride.
Thousands of pilgrims dressed in white travel to this sacred location every day, carrying frangipani and lotus blossoms for pujas - offerings and prayers. Visitors and devotees always stop by the temple during puja to take a look at the well-guarded inner shrine where the tooth is kept, even though it is concealed inside a gold casket.
The Relic casket is paraded through the streets atop a male elephant every year during the Esala Perahera procession. The 10-day festival is one of the world's largest Buddhist festivals and the most important in Sri Lanka.
The Temple is best visited early in the morning or late in the evening when ceremonial offerings and prayers are made. It is critical that you are dressed appropriately; your clothes must cover your legs and shoulders, and your shoes must be removed before entering the Holy Temple.
Getting there: simply ask a Tuk-Tuk to get you there
Entry fee: around 600 - 1500 Rs
