Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
THE HISTORY OF THE TOOTH
The sacred tooth of the Buddha is said to have been snatched from the flames of the
Buddha's funeral pyre in 483 BC and smuggled into Sri Lanka during the 4th century AD,
hidden in the hair of a princess. At first it was taken to Anuradhapura, then it moved
through the country on the waves of Sri Lankan history before ending up at Kandy. In
1283 it was carried back to India by an invading army but it was retrieved by King
Parakramabahu III.
The tooth gradually grew in importance as a symbol of sovereignty, and it was believed
that whoever had custody of the tooth relic had the right to rule the island. In the 16th
century the Portuguese apparently seized the tooth, took it away and burnt it with devout
Catholic fervour in Goa. Not so, say the Sinhalese. The Portuguese had actually stolen a
replica tooth while the real incisor remained safe. There are still rumours that the real
tooth is hidden somewhere secure, and the tooth kept here is only a replica.
The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic was constructed mainly under Kandyan kings
from 1687 to 1707 and from 1747 to 1782, and the entire temple complex was part of the
Kandyan royal palace. The imposing pinky-white structure is surrounded by a moat. The
octagonal tower in the moat was built by Sri Wickrama Rajasinha and used to house an
important collection ofola(talipot-palm leaf) manuscripts. This section of the temple
was heavily damaged in the 1998 bomb blast.
The main tooth shrine - a two-storey rectangular building known as the Vahahitina Ma-
ligawa - occupies the centre of a paved courtyard. The eye-catching gilded roof over the
relic chamber was paid for by Japanese donors. The 1998 bomb exposed part of the front
wall to reveal at least three layers of 18th- to 20th-century paintings depicting thepera-
hera(procession) and various Jataka tales (stories of the Buddha's previous lives).
Sri Lankan Buddhists believe they must complete at least one pilgrimage to the temple
in their lifetime, as worshipping here improves one's karmic lot immeasurably.
Devales
There are four Kandyan
devales
to the gods who are followers of Buddha and protect Sri
Lanka. Three of the four
devales
are near the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.
Natha Devale
BUDDHIST TEMPLE
