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The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, known locally as Sri Dalada Maligawa, is one of the most sacred Buddhist sites in the world. It houses the revered Tooth Relic of the Buddha, which was brought to Sri Lanka in the 4th century AD from India. Over centuries, the relic became a symbol of royal authority, and successive Sinhalese kings safeguarded it within their kingdoms. When the capital moved to Kandy in the 16th century, the temple was built beside the royal palace. Today, it stands as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the spiritual heart of Sri Lanka, celebrated annually during the grand Esala Perahera festival.

In the late 16th century, during the Kandyan Kingdom, the buddha tooth relic was fbrought to Kandy, which was naturally fortified by hills and forests.

• King Vimaladharmasuriya I (1592–1604) built the first shrine near the royal palace.
• Later kings, especially King Sri Vikrama Rajasinha (1798–1815), expanded and embellished the temple into the structure largely seen today.

The temple became the spiritual heart of the Kandyan Kingdom.

With the arrival of the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha in the 4th century AD, Buddhist worship merged with ancient Esala rituals. When King Vimaladharmasuriya I made Kandy the capital in the late 16th century, the Esala festival became closely linked to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa).

The Four Devales

A special feature of the Kandy Esala Perahera is the participation of four guardian devales, believed to protect Buddhism and the city.

• Natha Devale – The oldest shrine in Kandy, dedicated to Lord Natha, where Kandyan kings once sought blessings.
• Vishnu Devale – Honoring Lord Vishnu, protector of Buddhism and the island.
• Kataragama Devale – Dedicated to Kataragama Deviyo, symbolizing strength and protection.
• Paththini Devale – Dedicated to Goddess Paththini, representing health, fertility, and compassion.

The Procession Today

The festival begins with Kap Situveema, followed by the Kumbal Perahera, and ends with the grand Randoli Perahera. The Sacred Tooth Relic, carried in a golden casket on a majestic tusker, leads a breathtaking procession of elephants, dancers, drummers, fire performers, and torchbearers.