Sri Dalada Maligawa or the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is a Buddhist temple in the city of Kandy, Sri Lanka. It is located in the royal palace complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy. Since ancient times, the relic has played an important role in local politics because it is believed that whoever holds the relic holds the governance of the country, Kandy was the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings and is a World Heritage Site mainly due to the temple.

The brick wall which runs along the moat and Bogambara lake is known as water waves wall. Holes in this wall are built to light coconut oil lamps. The main entrance gate which lies over the moat is called Mahawahalkada. At the foot of Mahawahalkada steps, there is a Sandakada pahana (moonstone) which is carved in Kandyan architectural style. Mahawahalkada was totally destroyed in a 1998 bomb blast and rebuilt afterward along with Sandakada pahana other stone carvings. Elephants are depicted in stone on either side of the entrance. A Makara Torana and two guardian stones are placed on top of the staircase. The two stores of the main shrine are known as “Palle malaya” (lower floor) and “Udu malaya” (upper floor) or “Weda hitina maligawa”. The doors of the Weda Hitana Maligawa are ivory carvings. The actual chamber in which the tooth relic is kept is known as the “Handun kunama”. The golden canopy over the main shrine, built in 1987 and the golden fence which encircles the main shrine are other notable features. The tooth relic is based in seven golden caskets which are engraved with precious gemstones. e Caskets have a shape of a stupa. The procession casket which is used during Kandy Esala Perahera is also displayed in the same chamber.

Sethil Premathilake