Visiting the Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa) in Kandy is one of the most culturally and spiritually significant experiences you can have in Sri Lanka. Here’s a complete guide to help you make the most of your visit:

🛕 What is the Temple of the Tooth?

The Temple of the Tooth Relic is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most sacred Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka. It houses what is believed to be a tooth of the Buddha, preserved in a golden casket and deeply revered by Buddhists worldwide.

It’s not just a tourist attraction—it’s a place of worship, ritual, and national pride.

🕰️ Opening Hours

• Open daily from 5:30 AM to 8:00 PM

• Best times to visit:

  • Early morning: Cooler, fewer crowds, more spiritual atmosphere

  • During Puja times: You can witness rituals and drumming (more below)

🕯️ Daily Puja (Offering) Ceremonies

The Puja is a traditional ceremony where offerings (flowers, incense, etc.) are made to the sacred relic. While the relic itself is never displayed, the golden casket is revealed during the ceremony.

Puja times:

• Morning: 5:30 AM – 7:00 AM

• Midday: 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM

• Evening: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM

If you want to feel the spiritual intensity of the temple, try to attend a puja—you’ll hear traditional drums (hevisi), see monks in saffron robes, and watch crowds bring offerings.

🎟️ Entry Details

• Foreigners: ~1,500 LKR (approx. $4–5 USD)

• Sri Lankans: Free or much lower rate

• Children under 12: Usually discounted

• You can buy tickets at the entrance. Some tours include tickets and a guide.

👕 Dress Code & Etiquette

This is a deeply sacred site, so respectful attire and behavior are essential:

• Shoulders and knees must be covered

• No hats or shoes inside (you’ll leave shoes at the entrance)

• Speak quietly and avoid flash photography

• Be respectful during ceremonies—don’t push or reach over locals during rituals

📸 Photography Rules

• Allowed in most areas except the inner chamber during puja

• Avoid photographing people mid-prayer unless you ask

• The complex is beautiful—don’t miss the lake views and traditional architecture

🏛️ What to See Inside the Temple Complex

1. Main Shrine Room (Relic Chamber)

   • Houses the golden casket containing the tooth relic

   • You’ll line up to pass by during puja

2. Royal Palace Complex

   • Adjacent historical buildings once used by Kandyan kings

3. Audience Hall (Magul Maduwa)

   • Beautiful wooden structure with ornate carvings

4. Museum of the Tooth Relic

   • Includes historical items, religious artifacts, and gifts from other nations

5. Alut Maligawa

   • Modern shrine room with hundreds of Buddha statues

6. Kandy Lake

   • Peaceful walk around the lake just outside the temple

🕊️ Best Time to Visit

• Morning puja (5:30–7:00 AM) for spiritual calm and fewer crowds

• Avoid midday heat if you’re sensitive to temperature

• During Esala Perahera (July–August) the temple becomes the center of one of the grandest Buddhist festivals in the world—spectacular but very crowded

💡 Tips for Visitors

• Hire a licensed guide or use an audio guide to understand the symbolism and history

• Bring small flowers as an offering (available near the entrance)

• Expect crowds, especially during weekends and religious holidays

• Take time to sit and observe—this is more than sightseeing; it’s a spiritual experience