

Year Built
16th-18th century CE
Period
Medieval Period
Architectural Style
Kandyan Buddhist Temple Architecture with Indian Buddhist Architectural and Iconographic Influences
Built By
Kandyan Kingdom
Material Used
Brick, Stone, Lime Mortar, Metal, Wood
Heritage Status
UNESCO World Heritage Site
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])
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])
Department of Archaeology Sri Lanka, UNESCO, Buddhist Affairs Department


Extensive archaeological research, documentation, structural analysis, and conservation work.
Archaeological research; documentation; structural restoration; ongoing conservation. ([1][2])
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Construction utilized brick and stone blocks fitted together with lime mortar. The temple employed sophisticated masonry techniques adapted from Indian traditions. The foundation system utilized stone platforms. Decorative elements including murals and carvings were executed using techniques derived from Indian artistic traditions. ([1][2])
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The structural system employs brick and stone construction with sophisticated masonry. ([1][2])
7.294400, 80.641400
{"notes":"Sacred temple; wear appropriate footwear; respect religious site; remove shoes; photography allowed; annual Esala Perahera festival.","restrooms":"Available at visitor facilities.","wheelchair_accessible":"Limited due to steps."}
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Early morning (5:30-8:00 AM) for spiritual atmosphere and fewer crowds; evening (6:00-8:00 PM) for peaceful contemplation; during Esala Perahera for cultural experience.
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Respect religious site; remove shoes before entering; maintain silence; follow designated pathways; photography allowed; modest clothing required.
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2025-11-09T09:48:19.163985+00:00
2025-11-09T09:48:19.163985+00:00
Medieval Period
Central Province
Kandyan Buddhist Temple Architecture with Indian Buddhist Architectural and Iconographic Influences
UNESCO Site
Temple of the Tooth Kandy Sri Lanka is a historic Temple located in Central Province, Sri Lanka. This Kandyan Buddhist Temple Architecture with Indian Buddhist Architectural and Iconographic Influences architectural masterpiece was built during the Medieval Period period and represents significant cultural and historical heritage of Sri Lanka. 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 ...
| RsEntry Fee | Sri Lankan nationals: Free; Foreigners: LKR 1,500; Children: Free. |
| 🕐Opening Hours | Dawn to Dusk (6 AM - 6 PM) |
| 📅Best Time to Visit | October to March (Winter) |
| ⏱️Duration | 2-3 hours |
| ♿Accessibility | Wheelchair accessible |
| 📸Photography | Allowed (No flash) |
Check opening hours and entry fees for Temple of the Tooth Kandy Sri Lanka. Book tickets online if available to avoid queues. Best visited during early morning or late afternoon.
Temple of the Tooth Kandy Sri Lanka is located in Temple of the Tooth, Kandy, Kandy District, Central Province, Sri Lanka, Central Province. The nearest major city is Temple of the Tooth. Accessible by road, rail, and air. Use GPS coordinates: 7.2944, 80.6414.
Entry fee: Sri Lankan nationals: Free; Foreigners: LKR 1,500; Children: Free.. Follow dress code for religious sites. Photography is allowed. Maintain silence and respect the heritage.
Allocate 2-3 hours to fully explore Temple of the Tooth Kandy Sri Lanka. Key areas to visit include the main sanctum, pillared halls, and intricate carvings. Consider hiring a local guide for detailed insights.
Construction of Temple of the Tooth Kandy Sri Lanka by Kandyan Kingdom
Conservation and restoration efforts initiated under UNESCO World Heritage Site
Digital documentation and 3D scanning completed by Inheritage Foundation