Holiest of the Holy - Kandy

Since ancient time, Buddha's relic is the symbolic sign of power in Sri Lanka. It was said that whoever hold the relic had the right to rule the country. In order to safeguard and protect the relic, reigning monarchs usually enshrined it in temple built closed to their royal residences. The Tooth Relic Temple Sri Dalada Maligawa nestled in a small wooded valley deep inside the hills around a man-made lake, is located within the palace premises of Kandy, which was the former kingdom and last capital of Sinhala Kings. The original three storey building near the palace in Kandy that first built by King Vimaladharmasuriya I (1592-1603) to enshrine the tooth relic when it was brought back from its hidden place at a cairn in Delgamuva Vihara in Ratnapura to avoid plundering from Portuguese colonial power, had no more exist. A new Relic Temple was later rebuilt by King Vimaladharmasuriya II (1686-1706) in late 17th century. The present site was restored during the reigns of the last Sinhalese Kings Viraparakrama Narendrasinha (1707-38) and Keerti Sri Rajasinha (1747-82).



The Octagonal Patthirippuna and the moat that were added into the premises during the reign of Sri Vikranna Raja Sinha (1798-1815) were designed by a famous Kandyan architect named Devandra. Brick walls running along the moat and Lake Bogambara are called wall of water waves and the holes at the walls were meant for lighting coconut lamps in the past. The Sandakada Pahana moonstone at the foot steps of its Maha Wahalkada main entrance gate that lies over the moat contained beautiful Kandyan styled carvings. The Patthirippuna which is now a library, was originally used for recreational activities but later offered to enshrine Buddha's relic.



Sri Dalada Maligawa Tooth Relic Temple is one of the Buddhist most sacred place in the world, attracting millions of pilgrims and devotees each year. The sacred site suffered great damages in the bomb blast attacked by Tamil Tigers Eelan in 1998. Its Vadahitina Maligawa Shrine was miraculously survived but Maha Wahalkada main entrance gate was destroyed. During new restoration, other stone carvings were replaced along the moonstones, with addition of stone elephants and guardians built on both sides and on top of the stair case.



A greenery lawn with statues of Sri Lanka national heroes and famous politicians erected along the walk way towards the site.



Among the heroes list, a 9 years old brave boy who showed his elder brother how to face death in May 1814, was selected as one of them.



The fragrant Sal flower is one of the sacred flowers that are used for offering to Buddha.



The two storey main shrine is known as Wedahitina Maligawa. The passageway at the outer shrine is richly adorned with ornaments.



Palle Malaya is the name addressed to the lower floor of the two storey shrine and the name of its upper floor is known as Udu Malaya. All doors are carved in ivory.






Hewisi drummers chamber in front of the main shrine



Million of pilgrims come in to pay homage to the relic every year. Though hardly can any one have a chance to see the sacred relic, people never hesitate to flock in as all Buddhists believe that this is one of the most sacred sites on earth for us to pay homage or to offer flowers to The Great Lord Buddha. Every one that present at site, is full of bliss, joys and peace. To be here, is one's good affiliated causing and Karma.



The tooth relic of Lord Buddha that was originally preserved in Kalinge of India after his Parinirvana, was believed to have been smuggled to Sri Lanka by Princess Hemamali in 3rd century. It was said that she hide the relic in her hair and brought back to the island with her husband Price Dantha during the reign of King Sirimeghavanna of Anuradhapura (301-328). The relic was greeted by the King's son and also his successor, King Kirti Sri Meghavanna who was a pious Buddhist. He built a special shrine for the relic and since then the relic was kept in Abbayagiri Vihara (now known as Isurumuniya) in North Anuradhapura until 10th century as in 11th century, during the reign of King Vijayabahu I, Anuradhapura Kingdom was threatened by the attack from Cholas of South Indian and moved the capital to Polonnaruwa. The Atadage Shrine of Quadrangle in Polonnaruwa was constructed by the King to enshrine the relic that was brought down to the new capital. After the death of King Vijayabahu I, Kingdom faced uncertainty and instability and many temples were found destroyed. The relic was then secretly removed to a safer place in Rohana in southern island until year 1153 when King Parakramabahu I ascended the throne. When Polonnaruwa Kindgom began to wane by early 13th century, the tooth relic for safety purposes, had to be traveled from one place to another, though it was still under the custody of the monarchs. The relic was once enshrined in Damabaeniya rock and once in a cairn at Ratnapura before it was finally enshrined in the Dalada Maligawa Temple at the Royal Palace of Kandy Kingdom.



Daily ritual is performed by monks three times a day, at dawn, noon and evening in the inner chamber of the temple. And each Wednesday, there is a symbolic bathing of relic with scented herbal water and Nanumura Mangallaya fragrant flowers. The bathing Holy water will be distributed among those who are present. It was believed that Holy water contains miracle healing powers.



Devotees silently sitting at every corners, praying, meditating, chanting, while patiently waiting the moment to go into inner chamber for paying homage to the sacred relic.



The center praying hall facing directly to the inner chamber where the tooth relic enshrined, is meant for Sangha or devotees with special arrangement.



Behind this golden gate is the inner chamber that enshrined the tooth relic of Lord Buddha. The relic was kept in a jeweled casket set on a throne. (We were allowed to enter into the inner chamber in the evening)



The tooth relic chamber which is known as Handun Kunama is fronted with two large elephant tusks and adorned with impressive golden canopy at its ceiling.



Bowing and showing our greatest respect to the sacred relic of the great teacher, Lord Buddha.






It is not only to the lay Buddhists but also to monks, relic of Lord Buddha is holiest of the holy in our faith.



Displayed here, is a picture of the tooth relic casket elegantly embedded with precious gemstones and its replica that is used in the famous Kandy Esala Perahera annual festival, held in full moon day of late July or early August. It was said that the procession tradition was carried down since 18th century when a severe drought was overcome after taking out the tooth relic for a great parade for 7 days.



A fabulous Buddha Image and some beautiful painting arts.



Collection of Palm-leaf manuscripts and Buddhist Pali Canon Tipitaka are some of the collection of Theravada Buddhist scriptures kept in the Library in the octagonal building of Patthirippuna.



To the north of the shrine is the Maha Wasala or Maligawa royal palace built and renovated within 14th to 16th century.



The Palace of Kandy that was first built and renovated by Gompola Kings within 14th to 16th century was destroyed by Portuguese during the reign of King Senarat (1603-1634). The Palace was restored by King Rajasimha after he ascended the throne in year 1634. There after, the palace had been the royal residences for all subsequent kings until British Colonial occupied the city in year 1815.



The most interesting features in the old structures of Sri Lanka are those beautifully carved moonstones at the door steps.



Kings and Queens Palace Raja and Meda Wasala are two of the main monumental remains in Kandy palace complex.



Variety of materials were applied for the richly decorated buildings including granite, marble, metal, ivory, sculpted wood and terracotta. The ceilings, pillars and beams were painted with decorative motifs and series of figurines.


What an impressive craft work!



The Royal Residences that contain many buildings scattering around the premises are winded up by a 8 ft tall wall with three Wahalkadas gateways as the accessible entrances.



In year 1942, The lower Palace Palle Vahale which was built during the reign of Vickrama Rajasimha (1779-1797) as quarters of harems for Kandy Kings, was converted into the National Museum of Kandy.



Drawings in the museum depict the three important parts of Lord Buddha's life, The birth, The enlightenment and the Nirvana.



All four inner verandas of Palle Vahale building were built to face the internal courtyard.



Magul Maduwa which was also known as Maha Naduwa Royal Council, is the Royal Audience Hall where Kings met their ministers and foreign Ambassadors. The Kandyan styled structure was built by King Vikrama Rajasimha (1779-1797) in year 1783 to use as a venue for public audience and center of religious activities and national festivities. In year 1872, its original length of 18 meters was extended to 29 meters by British Colonial government to welcome the visit of Prince Albert Edward. The 2 rows of 32 columns magnificent carved pillars in the building were removed from Palle Vahale and replaced them with brick pillars by British. On March 5th, 1815, Magul Maduwa Audience Hall was the venue where Kandyan Convention was signed between British and Kandyan chieftains, putting an end to the last Kingdom of Sri Lanka.



International Museum of Buddhism.






Ulpange of Queens Bathing Pavilion located at the edge of Kandy lake was constructed in year 1806. The originally stone built bathing pond used by queens of King Sri Vikrama Rajasimha (1779-1797) was extended into a two tiers building and converted into a library after British occupied the city. The Kandyan architectural building is now a police post.



Kandy lake was a large rice field in the past.



This man-made lake was created by Sinhala Kings in early 19th century between years 1803 to 1807.



Maha Maluwa is referred to the one acre large terrace open park in front of Kandy lake.



The stone pillar memorial at the end of the Square housed the skull of Sinhalese national hero Keppetipola Disawe who was executed in the UVA Rebellion of 1818 fighting aganist the British power.



The sacred city of Kandy was the last seat of royal power. It was founded in 14th century and established into a capital in year 1592 by Sinhala Kings, during the time when European were fighting for power at the coastal area of Sri Lanka. Kandy, a city that is greatly associated with the history of Buddhism had been listed as a world heritage site.