Daladha Maligawa

The Temple of the sacred Tooth is a Buddhist temple in the city of Kandy, Sri Lanka. Since ancient times, the relic has played an important role in local politics because it is believed that whoever holds the relic holds the governance of the country. Kandy was the last capital of the Sinhalese kings. This is the heart of Kandy, and the Tooth of Buddha is the heart of it. The relic came from India sixteen centuries ago, and moved from capital to capital always with the king. It is rarely shown and never leaves the temple.

The Temple built between 1687 and 1707. According to legend, the tooth was taken from the Buddha as he lay on his funeral pyre and smuggled to Sri Lanka hidden in Princess Hemamali's hair, where it survived numerous attempts to capture and destroy it. Today, this famous religious relic attracts white-clad pilgrims, bearing lotus blossoms and frangipani, every day. The temple is joined to the Pattiripuwa (Octagon), built in 1803, which was originally used as a prison, but now houses a collection of palm-leaf manuscripts. There are many other attractions in this ancient city, including Natha Devale, a stone sanctuary and the oldest building in Kandy, and Mahavishnu Devale, a temple which is dedicated to Vishnu, the protector of Buddhism in Sri Lanka.

Natha Devale
Situated opposite the Tooth Temple. The stone sanctuary is the oldest building in Kandy, built five centuries ago when Kandy was founded ; it is dedicated to the next Buddha to come to the world. The gateway from it to the north is old, with good sculpture. It has a dagoba and a bo-tree, sapling of that at Anuradhapura.

Mahavishnu Devale
Situated opposite the gateway. Dedicated to Vishnu as the Protector of Sri Lanka (but it is a Buddhist temple, not Hindu).

Although the Dlada Maligawa is under the custodianship of the Maha Nayaka Theros ( Chief Monks), of Malwatte and Asgiriya Chapters, there is a laymen who attends on the lay activities related to the administration of the Dalada Maligawa. This person is called ‘Diyawadana Nilame’. He is the lay custodian of the Tooth Relic and the Dlada maligawa. He looks after the Temple properties and the day today activities of the Maligawa. He is in charge of the safety and security of the Tooth Relic and all the gifts bestowed on the Tooth Relic. There are many officials who take part in the lay administration of the Maligawa. These are Kariya Karawana Korala, Vattoru Raala, Gepa raala, Hakgedi Raala, Kaththiyana Raala, Gabada Mohottala, Alaththi Ammas, Palle Maale Raala , Muluthengei Raala and several Mohottalas in charge of various things.