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| Sunday, 3 October 2004 |
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Junior Observer |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Dalada Maligawa, most sacred to Buddhist
The tooth is said to have been retrieved from the Buddha's funeral pyre by a priest named Khema Thera. It was smuggled to Sri Lanka by Prince Dantha and Princess Hemamala, hidden in the latter's hair during the fourth century AD when Sri Lanka was ruled by King Kithsiri Mevan. It was initially taken to Anuradhapura where it remained for hundreds of years. As the kingdoms changed, it was moved to Polonnaruwa, Dambadeniya, Kurunegala, Gampola and Kotte before finally ending up at Kandy. The present temple, surrounded by a deep moat, was constructed mainly under Kandyan kings from 1687 to 1707 and 1747 to 1782. The octagonal tower was built by Sri Wikrama Rajasinghe, the last king of Sri Lanka. The gilded roof over the relic chamber is a more recent addition. The Temple of the Tooth is one of the most visited sites in the country among pilgrims and tourists both foreign and local. There is a museum behind the shrine in the main building which displays many artifacts and gifts to the temple. The stuffed remains of Raja, the Maligawa Tusker which used to carry the tooth relic at the Esala Perahera, and which died in 1988, are also displayed here. The administration and operation of the Temple and the Tooth Relic are now entrusted with the Diyawadana Nilame with advice and guidance from the priests of the Malwatte and Asgiri Viharas.
The capital in the hills
The last kingdom of our country, it resisted foreign dominance for more than 300 years after the rest of the country went under European rule. The Kingdom which defied both the Portuguese and Dutch finally went under British rule in 1815. The first king of Kandy was known as Wickramabahu. It became the country's capital in 1592 under Wimaladharmasuriya I, who also built the present Dalada Maligawa. Kandy remains the cultural and spiritual centre of the Sinhalese. However, it is also a well-developed cosmopolitan city like Colombo. To the south of the Temple is the Kandy Lake, created in 1807 by King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe. The fortress-type wall around the lake was added later during the British era. The Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, National Museum, War Cemetery, Udawattekele Sanctuary and River Side Elephant Park are some of the other interesting places that one can visit in Kandy.
Kandy Esala Perahera
The event takes place over several days with the grandest pageant happening on the last day. The Esala Perahera is a combination of five peraheras; those of the Natha, Vishnu, Kataragama and Pattini Devalas in Kandy and the Maligawa itself. The Maligawa Perahera was added to the other four processions and the event given more splendour by King Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe. Dancers and drummers lead the procession, some cracking whips, some carrying lanterns and others performing Kandyan dances. Stilt walkers, children carrying flags and banners and Diyawadane Nilames are part of the perahera. They are followed by more than 50 beautifully decorated elephants. In their midst walks the Maligawa Tusker, decorated in the most splendid fashion, carrying the Tooth Relic. |
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The Temple of the Tooth or Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy is one of the
most important and sacred sites for Buddhists in Sri Lanka. It houses the
sacred tooth relic of the Lord Buddha. The Sacred Tooth is housed in a
gold casket; six other smaller and smaller caskets are said to be inside
this to protect the relic.
Kandy, in the hill country, is a cool area with nice climatic
conditions unlike most other areas of Sri Lanka. Although only 115
kilometres from Colombo, due to being 500m above sea level, this area has
been blessed with a lovely climate.
The perahera is held in Kandy every July-August to honour the Sacred
Tooth Relic. The most magnificent annual event in the country, it is well
known throughout Asia and tourists flock to Sri Lanka during the period to
witness this spectacular procession.
