The palace complex of Sri Lanka’s last king is situated on a hillside in the city of Kandy. Behind it lies a dense forest that forms a natural barrier, while defensive walls and moats are positioned in front of the palace, providing a high level of security.
The Kandy Palace symbolizes the independent monarchy of the historic Kingdom of Kandy and served as the residence of the royal family. The palace complex is centered around a courtyard and designed in a traditional courtyard-style layout, with the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic being a particularly important part of the palace.
The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic was built to house the relic of the Buddha’s tooth, a national treasure of Sri Lanka, which has made it world-famous and a revered pilgrimage site for Buddhists. The sacred tooth is the most important relic of the Buddha in Sri Lanka and has long been regarded as a symbol of authority, with the belief that whoever possesses it has the right to rule the country.
Visiting the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, you can see that the entire temple is built in the distinctive classical Kandy architectural style. From its pointed tiled roofs to the white walls with large ventilated windows, every element exudes a unique charm.
The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic consists of several structures, including the Main Shrine, the New Shrine, the Octagonal Pavilion, the Drum Hall, the Long Hall, the Recitation Hall, the Great Treasury, and the Inner Sanctum. The interiors are richly decorated with stone carvings, wood carvings, ivory, gold and silver ornaments, copper fittings, terracotta, and dazzling murals, creating a striking contrast with the temple’s pristine white exterior walls.
The Main Shrine is divided into two levels. When entering the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, visitors first arrive at the lower level, which is typically used for daily rituals. The upper level houses the sanctum where the sacred tooth is kept. The relic is placed inside a seven-tiered golden casket, adorned with gemstones offered by various rulers over time, creating an atmosphere that is both magnificent and sacred.
The three-story New Shrine is located behind the Main Shrine and houses a large Buddha statue. Surrounding the statue are 21 oil paintings depicting the history of the sacred tooth relic.
The Octagonal Pavilion, located beside the Main Shrine, features a distinctive design and is now used to house ancient manuscripts.
In addition to these main structures, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic complex also includes a museum, commemorative statues, fountains, and other attractions for visitors to explore.
