Sri Dalada Maligawa- the Temple of Tooth Relic

Sri Dalada Maligawa Entrance

The visitors will now arrive at the entrance gateway to the Temple proper. The newly sculpted moonstone here represents a replica of the old one, which was destroyed by the bomb blast of 1998 The two elephants sculptures decorating the entrance wall too are new replacement due to the same reason .the gangway across the moat will lead to the arched frontispiece (vahalkada)which exhibits on either side of its front wall the representation of a composite design of five women forming a pot(Ghata)

Sri Dalada Maligawa - Havisi mandapaya

The visitors will now ascend the stairway to the right and reach the painted tunnel (ambarava) which possesses an exquisitely decorated(makara thorana).The tunnel leads to the long hall in front of the tooth relic shrine ,which constitutes the drummers ‘terrace (havisi mandapa)the drummers will beat their drum thrice a day ,morning .noon, and evening ,during which period the service (Tevava)puja is carred out . The visitors will be able to witness the pingo(hema kada),carrying ,Buddha puja taken into the shrine room.once the Buddha puja was over the pilgrims and the other visitors are allowed to enter the shrine chamber of the sacred tooth relic in an orderly manner .The beating of the drums will countinue until the shrine chamber is closed .

Upper hall (Digge)

In order to reach upper level of the front hall, the visitors are expected to climb the stairway on the left side of the entrance. on the gangway ,they will see the small stupa which is believed to contain the bowl relic of the Buddha .The upper level of the hall provide facilities for pilgrims to offer flowers and incense when they are unable to enter the shrine chamber. The square area between the flower altar and the entrance to the shrine consists of the mandapa for the chanting of pirit(protective incantations)during festival times. This square is also used for the exposition of the sacred tooth relic on special occasion.

Tooth Relic shrine (vedahitina maligawa)

The pilgrims and other visitors will now enter the shrine in a queue one after the other,Carrying flowers in their hands, when the doors are opened at specified times (morning, noon and evening)

The sacred shrine of the first quarter of the 18th century appears to follow the Design of the Atadage tooth relic shrine of polonaruwa build by vijayabahu I in 11th century.The building which is ornamented With beautiful religious and decorative paintings, was further embellished by Keerthi sri Rajasinha and sri wikrama Rajasingha