Temple of the Sacred Tooth, Kandy
Sri Lanka, Kandy & Hill Country

Located in the royal palace complex in Kandy, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic houses Sri Lankas most important Buddhist relic; a tooth of the Buddha. Said to have been snatched from the flames of the Buddhas funeral pyre in 483 BC, the tooth was smuggled into Sri Lanka during the 4th century AD, hidden in the hair of a princess.

Over the years the tooth has gradually grown in importance as a symbol of sovereignty, and it was generally believed that whoever had custody of the tooth, had the right to rule the island. Today, the temple acts as a pilgrimage site for Sri Lankan Buddhists who will pay at least one visit to the temple during their lifetime.

Monks still conduct worship in the inner chamber of the temple, performing rituals three times daily. On Wednesdays, a symbolic bathing of the Sacred Relic take place with a herbal preparation made from scented water and fragrant flowers. This holy water is believed to contain healing powers and is distributed amongst those present.

You will want at least an hour to explore this important Buddhist site.

You can book this experience on its own, with flights or as part of an Experience Travel Holiday Itinerary.

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