Travels
Hill Country
Sacred Buddhist relic in the hills of Kandy
Overview
Home to Sri Lanka's most sacred Buddhist relic, a tooth of the Buddha, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic sits at the centre of Kandy's UNESCO-listed royal complex.
Time a visit around the daily puja ceremonies, when drummers perform and the temple's inner chamber opens to visitors for a rare glimpse of the relic casket.
In Pictures
Make The Most Of It
Drummers and horn players perform as the inner chamber opens to visitors.
Two small museums on site cover the temple's history and Kandyan royal artefacts.
The lake circling the temple grounds makes for an easy evening stroll.
Cover shoulders and knees, and remove footwear before entering the inner temple.
Good To Know
The relic is kept in a gold casket that is not opened to the public; visitors view the outer chamber during ceremonies.
White or modest clothing covering shoulders and knees is expected; sarongs are available to rent at the entrance if needed.
Photography is generally permitted outside the innermost chamber — your guide will confirm current rules on the day.
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