heritage · Central
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa) — Kandy
Cover photo: Chathura Anuradha Subasinghe (Unsplash)
- District
- Kandy
- Province
- Central
- Best for
- Culture seekers and Buddhists; attend a puja ceremony and see the sacred casket
About this place
In central Kandy beside the lake, part of the old royal palace complex and UNESCO-listed Sacred City. Visit at morning (5:30 AM) or evening puja for drumming and ceremonies; dress covering shoulders and knees. Foreign ticket around LKR 2,500-3,000; buy only at machines inside and keep small notes.
Visitor brief
Good to know before you go
- Visit at morning (from 5:30 AM) or evening puja for drumming and ceremonies; the relic casket is shown at set display windows.
- Strict dress code: cover shoulders and knees; sarongs often available at the entrance.
- Remove shoes and hats; the stone floors get very hot at midday.
- Foreign ticket around LKR 2,500-3,000 at the counter inside; keep small notes and allow 2 hours.
- Part of the UNESCO-listed Sacred City of Kandy; security screening at entry.
How to travel there
Central Kandy beside the lake in the old royal palace complex; walkable from downtown. Kandy is reached by scenic train from Colombo (~2.5-3 hrs), intercity bus, or taxi; the temple is a short tuk-tuk ride from the station.
Where to stay
Stay in central Kandy near the lake (budget guesthouses to luxury hillside hotels); the temple is walkable from most lakeside stays.
Nearby places
Kandy Lake, Royal Palace complex / National Museum Kandy, Udawatta Kele Sanctuary, Kandyan cultural dance halls
Scams to watch for
- 'Temple closed for ceremony' touts diverting visitors to gem shops; ignore and verify at the gate.
- Fake guides at the entrance demanding fees; use the official counter or an agreed hotel-arranged guide.
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