Temple of the Tooth: Discover Sri Lanka’s Most Sacred Buddhist Site
Jayandi
2026-02-02
Sri Lanka isn’t only a paradise for nature and beach lovers. Indeed, the country is home to plenty of stunning beaches, wildlife safaris, and tea plantations. Besides, the nation holds significant cultural and religious destinations. One of them is the Temple of the Tooth. Local and global tourists visit the place as it holds the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha.
The relic is believed to be around 1,600 years old. It is housed inside the Kandy temple, which is between 300 and 400 years old. To reach this place, you need to go to Kandy, around 115 km northeast of Colombo. In 1988, UNESCO named the Temple of the Tooth and the Sacred City of Kandy as a World Heritage Site.
Visiting the destination means imagining what the past in the Kandyan Kingdom looked like. In addition, tourists can observe the Buddhist traditions that remain alive there. Please continue reading to learn more about the spot, significance, and procedures while being there. Keep scrolling down!
Is the Temple of the Tooth worth seeing?
Yes, it is worth seeing because of its cultural, religious, and historical significance. To reiterate, this temple holds the left canine tooth of Gautama Buddha. It’s one of the key objects in Buddhism, which arrived in Sri Lanka from India in the 4th century BC. The relic is put in a golden casket inside a small inner sanctum.
Visitors can see the relic through a barrier during special ceremonies or daily poojas. Besides, you can witness the spiritual ceremonies, such as the Buddhist monks chanting, offering flowers, and lighting oil lamps. Check the schedule of the daily poojas at the Temple of the Tooth below:
- Morning Pooja: From 5:30 to 6:30 local time, where visitors can observe intense chanting and offering of lamps.
- Midday Pooja: From 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., with more formal rituals by the priests who pray for the nation.
- Evening Pooja: From 6:30 to 7.30 pm, which offers visually stunning lamps glowing inside the temple.
Dressing and behaviour codes to obey
Since the Temple of the Tooth is a holy place, you can’t dress however you like when visiting the destination. In addition, the local authorities create some dress policies to adjust to the Sri Lankan cultural values. Following the policies means you apply the Buddhist way of living, which emphasises simplicity and self-restraint.
For Sri Lankans, a temple such as this one means more than just a spiritual place. They treat it as a community and cultural centre. Dressing modestly indicates your respect for the local tradition and expectations. See the details of the policies below!
General dressing rules
You should wear clothes that cover the shoulders and arms when visiting the Temple of the Tooth. Avoid using tank tops or sleeveless shirts. For your legs, wear long trousers or skirts that cover up to your ankles. In other words, avoid using shorts, mini-skirts, or ripped jeans. Besides, don’t choose tight or revealing clothing styles because this indicates disrespect. Traditional clothing, such as a sarong for men and sarees for women, is welcome.
Footwear and accessories
You must remove your shoes and hats when going inside the complex of the Temple of the Tooth. This shows your respect for the holy site. If you wear socks, consider choosing ones with plain or soft colours, such as white. If you wear these socks, you may wear them inside. Avoid wearing dirty socks or those with flashy colours. However, going inside barefoot is better because this shows your humility.
Attitude
As you are inside the complex, please speak softly. Don’t laugh out loud or talk loudly, as this may show your disrespect. Moreover, do not point your feet towards the Buddha statue, shrine, relic, or monks. Sit cross-legged or kneel respectfully.
Pay attention when you want to take pictures, as not all areas allow for photography. Always check the sign first. At last, you can’t touch any objects as you want. Sacred ones, including the relic, are not for touching. You can’t get too close to the relic, as well.
Enjoy your impressive visit to the Temple of the Tooth with Olanka Travels!
This Buddhist site isn’t only an ideal tourism destination for historical or spiritual enthusiasts. The Temple of the Tooth is for every tourist who wants to embrace the unique and sacred side of Sri Lanka. If the site sparks your interest, wait no more! Let’s create a once-in-a-lifetime experience with Olanka Travels.
Since 2010, their team has been trusted by global world explorers eager to visit the country and other nations. Today, they have over 150 professionals who serve from their hearts. They are committed to helping you have the best time of your life visiting the temple and beyond. Kindly explore their travel package and finish your tour booking easily and quickly. If you still have enquiries, contact them via their website! Their marketing team is just a few clicks away!
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Barry L
USA
2024-04-27
Anjali from Olanka Travels put together an amazing 3 week trip that included Kandy, Ella, Tangalle, Galle and a week of safaris in Yala & Udawalawe Parks. Chamod our driver was best ever, Great hotels, wonderful suggestions of places to see and side trips. Anjali was super helpfull in the planning & when we were there. Absolutely recommend and will definitely revisit the amazing country of Sri Lanka & Olanka Travels. Thank you Anjali.
Anjali
Destination Expert
