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Temple of the Tooth Kandy Sri Lanka

Overview

Temple of the Tooth, majestically situated in the heart of Kandy, the last capital of the Sinhalese kings, represents one of the most extraordinary and spiritually significant Buddhist temples in the world, housing the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha that was brought to Sri Lanka from India in the 4th century CE, creating a powerful testament to the profound transmission of Indian Buddhist religious traditions to Sri Lanka and serving as the most sacred Buddhist site in Sri Lanka. The temple complex, also known as Sri Dalada Maligawa, features sophisticated architectural elements that demonstrate the direct transmission of Indian Buddhist temple architecture, particularly the traditions of the Kandyan period which synthesized Indian Buddhist architectural traditions with local Sri Lankan building techniques, while the temple's most remarkable feature is its association with the Buddha's tooth relic, which is enshrined in a series of nested golden caskets within the temple's inner sanctum and represents one of the most sacred relics in the Buddhist world. The temple's architectural layout, with its central shrine housing the tooth relic surrounded by multiple halls, courtyards, and subsidiary structures, follows sophisticated Indian Buddhist temple planning principles that were systematically transmitted from the great temple complexes of India, while the temple's extensive decorative programs including murals, carvings, and architectural elements demonstrate the sophisticated synthesis of Indian Buddhist iconography and artistic traditions with local Sri Lankan aesthetic sensibilities, particularly the distinctive Kandyan style that emerged from the synthesis of Indian and Sri Lankan artistic traditions. Archaeological evidence reveals that the temple has served as a major center of Buddhist worship for over four centuries, attracting pilgrims from across Sri Lanka, South Asia, and beyond, while the discovery of numerous inscriptions, chronicles, and historical records provides crucial evidence of the site's role in the transmission of Indian Buddhist texts and practices to Sri Lanka, demonstrating the sophisticated understanding of Indian Buddhist traditions possessed by the Sri Lankan Buddhist establishment. The temple's annual Esala Perahera, one of the largest and most spectacular religious festivals in Asia, features elaborate processions with hundreds of elephants, traditional dancers, musicians, and fire-breathers that attract hundreds of thousands of devotees and demonstrate the continued vitality of Indian religious traditions in Sri Lanka, while the temple's association with the Kandyan Kingdom demonstrates its historical significance as a center of Sri Lankan Buddhist culture and religious practice. The temple complex has undergone multiple reconstructions throughout its history, with the current structure representing a faithful preservation of the temple's original architectural character and spiritual significance, while ongoing archaeological research and conservation efforts continue to protect and study this extraordinary cultural treasure. Today, Temple of the Tooth stands as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and represents one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in the world, serving as a powerful testament to the transmission of Indian Buddhist culture and architecture to Sri Lanka, while ongoing archaeological research and conservation efforts continue to protect and study this extraordinary cultural treasure that demonstrates the profound impact of Indian civilization on Sri Lankan religious and artistic traditions. ([1][2])

Historical Context

Historical Significance

The arrival of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Danta Dhatun Wahanse) in Sri Lanka during the 4th century CE, traditionally under the patronage of King Kithsirimevan (Kirti Sri Meghavanna), marked a pivotal moment, transforming it into a palladium of Sinhalese sovereignty. Its possession became intrinsically linked to the legitimacy of kingship, dictating the capital's location and the very right to rule. Prior to the present Kandyan edifice, the relic was housed in various capitals—Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Dambadeniya, Yapahuwa, Kurunegala, Gampola, and Kotte—each new location signifying a shift in political power and the establishment of a new royal seat. This continuous relocation underscored the relic's unparalleled political and spiritual authority throughout Sri Lankan history.

The construction of the present Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy, particularly under King Vimaladharmasuriya I (1592-1604) and later significantly expanded by King Kirti Sri Rajasinha (1747-1782), solidified Kandy's status as the last independent Sinhalese kingdom and a bastion of Buddhist faith against encroaching colonial powers. The temple served not merely as a shrine but as the very heart of the Kandyan state, its architectural grandeur reflecting the kingdom's resilience and spiritual devotion. The devastating LTTE bombing in 1998, though causing significant damage, became a stark historical testament to the relic's enduring symbolic power and the nation's determination to preserve its sacred heritage, prompting immediate and extensive restoration efforts.

Detailed History

Temple of the Tooth was constructed in the 16th-18th centuries CE during the Kandyan period. The temple houses the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha. The temple serves as the most sacred Buddhist site in Sri Lanka. The site was inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List. Ongoing conservation efforts continue. ([1][2])

Construction Period

This magnificent structure was built during the Medieval Period period, representing the architectural excellence of its time.

Architectural Excellence

Architectural Style

Kandyan architecture style, Sri Lankan Buddhist architecture style, Indo-Buddhist architecture style, Nagara architecture style

Building Techniques

Kandyan architectural innovations are evident throughout the temple. Specialized masonry techniques, combining dressed stone and brickwork, created durable and aesthetically rich surfaces. The use of traditional lime mortar, prepared through slaking and curing, ensured exceptional bonding and longevity. Intricate timber joinery, without the aid of modern fasteners, formed complex roof trusses and decorative elements, showcasing advanced carpentry skills. Furthermore, traditional plastering methods, often incorporating natural pigments and polished finishes, contributed to the temple's distinctive aesthetic and protective layers against the tropical climate.

Construction Methods

The construction of the Temple of the Tooth, spanning the 16th-18th centuries, relied heavily on skilled manual labor and traditional methods. Stone was meticulously quarried and dressed, often dry-stacked or set with lime mortar. Bricks were locally fired, then laid with precision using a robust lime-sand mortar. Timber elements, particularly for the elaborate roof structures and intricate carvings, were prepared and joined by master carpenters using traditional joinery techniques. Builders employed temporary scaffolding and earthen ramps to lift heavy materials, demonstrating an intimate understanding of material properties and structural mechanics inherent in Kandyan building practices.

Materials and Craftsmanship

ईंट - Īnt (Brick), शिला - Shilā (Stone), चूना - Chunā (Lime Mortar), लोहा - Lohā (Metal), काष्ठ - Kāshtha (Wood)

Architectural Influences

The design shows influences from: Indian Buddhist Temple Architecture, Indian Buddhist Iconography, Kandyan Architecture, Sri Lankan Buddhist Architecture

Cultural Significance

Cultural Importance

The Sri Dalada Maligawa remains the vibrant spiritual epicentre for Buddhists across Sri Lanka and the world, embodying the living presence of the Buddha through the venerated Danta Dhatun Wahanse. Daily, intricate rituals known as Thewawa are performed by monks from the Malwathu and Asgiri chapters, involving specific offerings of flowers, incense, and lamps, accompanied by traditional drumming and chanting. These ceremonies, conducted three times a day—at dawn, noon, and dusk—are not mere historical reenactments but profound acts of devotion, maintaining an unbroken lineage of spiritual practice that has sustained the temple's sanctity for centuries.

Annually, the temple becomes the focal point for the magnificent Esala Perahera, a grand procession that transforms Kandy into a spectacle of cultural and religious fervour. This ten-day festival, culminating in the carrying of the sacred relic casket (placed on the Maligawa Tusker), showcases a vibrant tapestry of traditional dancers, drummers, fire-eaters, and richly caparisoned elephants, drawing millions of devotees and tourists. The Diyawadana Nilame, the lay custodian of the relic, plays a crucial ceremonial role, symbolizing the enduring connection between the state, the Sangha, and the people, ensuring the continuation of this ancient tradition as a powerful affirmation of Sri Lankan Buddhist identity.

Conservation and Preservation

Current Status

Conservation Status: Excellent; well-preserved; ongoing conservation; UNESCO protection. ([1][2])

Conservation Efforts

Archaeological research, documentation, structural restoration, and ongoing conservation. ([1][2])

Current Threats and Challenges

Potential threats include environmental factors and tourism pressure. Managed through UNESCO protection and ongoing conservation efforts. ([1][2])

Restoration Work

Archaeological research; documentation; structural restoration; ongoing conservation. ([1][2])

Technical Details

Structural System

The temple's structural integrity primarily derives from its robust load-bearing masonry. Thick walls of brick and stone form the primary vertical support, efficiently transferring gravity loads from the multi-tiered timber roof structures down to the foundations. Columns, both stone and timber, punctuate the interior, supporting beams and lintels that span openings and carry intermediate floor loads. This system relies on the inherent compressive strength of masonry and the tensile and bending capabilities of timber, creating a stable and resilient framework characteristic of traditional Sri Lankan Buddhist architecture.

Foundation and Engineering

The Temple of the Tooth rests on traditional shallow foundations, a common practice for monumental structures of its period. These foundations typically consist of a broad base of rubble masonry or dressed stone, laid directly onto compacted earth. Lime mortar was used to bed the stones, ensuring a stable and cohesive footing. This design effectively distributes the substantial loads from the heavy masonry walls and timber superstructure over a larger area, mitigating settlement in the underlying soil. The precise depth and composition would have been determined by local soil conditions and the builders' empirical knowledge.