Sri Dalada Maligawa:

The pride of Sri Lanka

by Rupa BANDUWARDENA

Situated in the central highlands, the ancient hill capital with its glory, grandeur and splendour, this place signifies that it is the most sanctified place associated with the Sakyamuni Gauthama Buddha in Sri Lanka. This is none other than the world renowned, carefully preserved, the most sacred Temple of the Tooth in Kandy venerated by all Buddhists in the world.

It stands out as an impressive place of sanctity and serenity, reflecting the ancient culture of the island based on Buddhism. This is certainly a temple of exceptional historic value that makes us proud of our past. History reveals that this universally acclaimed place is a miraculous marvel with regard to its survival as the most serene and sacred place where rich Buddhist heritage is preserved. This magnificent spot has become all the more important with its long history which is not confined to Sri Lanka, but is spread worldwide with its origins in Jambudweepa, the birth place of the Buddha.

Early history

The most amazing factor is the miraculous powers surrounding the Sacred Relics of the Buddha that no one can account for. It is evident from the fact that the ruler in possession of the Sacred Tooth Relic was blessed by the divine powers to rule his country well. Since the Relic was closely associated with kingship, it became the symbol of royalty.

This idea was deeply rooted in India, the land of the birth of Buddhism, and later in Sri Lanka as mentioned in the early chronicles. Chulavamsa, Mahavamsa, Dathavamsa and Daladasiritha bear testimony to the series of historical changes that had taken place since the arrival of the Tooth Relic in the island. This common belief was indeed a very noble concept, valued and upheld by the monarchy in both countries.

A fact to be appreciated was that the highest importance was given to the Sacred Tooth Relic which was protected to the utmost with due reverence. The description was about the left canine tooth of the Blessed One which was held in great reverence by the highest number of kings in India, and venerated by the entire population of Jambudweepa. Then, as luck would have it, how did it come to this paradise isle?

The legend is that a war broke out in North India, and the stupa where the Sacred Tooth was preserved was in danger of plunder and destruction. It was King Guhasiwa of Kalinga who was in the proud possession of the Sacred Tooth Relic which he revered and believed to safeguard his throne from danger. The danger came from a rival king from the same region who declared war to own the Sacred Tooth Relic to be the ruler of both kingdoms.

King Guhasiwa was determined that the Sacred Tooth Relic should never be owned by the enemy in which case he would never gain power. He worked hard to achieve his ambition. Yet he was not sure of winning the war. Therefore, he wished to despatch the Sacred Tooth Relic to his friend in Sri Lanka, King Mahasena. He sent his daughter Hemamala with the Sacred Relic hidden in her hairknot, accompanied by her husband Danta, from Thambilipuththu in India to Lanka.

King Mahasena’s son, Kithsiri Mevan, the ruler of Lanka at the time received the relics with reverence. He laid it at ‘Dhammachakka’ building, constructed by King Devanampiyatissa in Anuradhapura. This original temple of the relic was later shifted to other locations depending on the political conditions, wars and power struggles in the country.

The Tooth Relic rests inside a gold gem-studded casket

The lawful ruler, before becoming king, would first try to obtain the Sacred Relic. Hence at the slightest sign of trouble and confusion, the bhikkhus used to disappear with the Relic and surface later at another location. Hence it was a case of changing places during unstable political conditions. According to the Chulavamsa , Mihindu IV (956-972) repaired the Tooth Relic Temple and the Mahapali Alms Hall. A rock inscription near the Gedige reveals that the temple was in Anuradhapura during his time.

The Tooth Relic had become the “Palladium of Sinhalese kings” and it is natural therefore to infer that the king’s palace was in the vicinity. Things changed during the 53-year Chola rule. In 1017 they occupied Rajarata. King Mihindu V was captured and taken prisoner, Anuradhapura was destroyed and Polonnaruwa was made the capital. This was the time that the Sacred Relic was not in one definite place.

Dawn of a new era

After liberating the country from Chola rule by Vijayabahu I, the situation was different. The Tooth Relic by now had become the most sacred relic of the Buddha.

The three important kings of the period, Vijayabahu I, Parakramabahu I and Nissankamalla built temples for the Relic. The Tooth Relic temples built by Vijayabahu and Nissankamalla are found on the raised quadrangle in Polonnaruwa, usually referred to as ‘Dalada Maluwa’.

The Chulavamsa says that Sugala Devi fleeing from Parakramabahu’s armies took with her the Tooth and Bowl Relics. Parakramabahu himself took such care of the Relic, that he entrusted the Velaikkaras (South Indian soldiers) with the guardianship of the Tooth Relic. Close to the Vata-da-ge built by Nissankamalla is his Tooth Relic Temple with its platform, ‘Nissanka Lata Mandapaya’ from which he is said to have worshipped the Tooth Relic. This stone platform, according to chronicles, has stone pillars of a novel type. However, Ata-da-ge built by King Vijayabahu to house the Relic also protected by the Velaikkaras is said to be the most prominent of the lot in Polonnaruwa.

Royal patronage

Nissankamalla’s death ushered in another period of political conflict, not in favour to the Sacred Relic with the invasion of the island by Kalinga Magha in 1235 and the vigorous persecution that followed. Unable to bear the reign of terror, the Sinhala people started drifting South West, changing their capitals at every turn. The most severe setback that Buddhism faced affected the Sacred Tooth Relic. But it was preserved throughout the period with great care and devotion. When the drift began and the Tamils established their power in the North, the Sacred Relic was concealed at Kotmale. Vijayabahu III who ruled from Dambadeniya had the Relic transferred to a Vihara which he had built in a more secure place at Beligala. Wherever the capital was shifted to, a new Dalada Maligawa too was constructed. The next person to erect a temple for the Tooth Relic was Parakramabahu VI of Kotte who had extended generous patronage to Buddhism and learning. Prior to this, King Panditha Parakramabahu is said to have shifted the Tooth Relic to his native village Siriwardenapura close to his capital Dambadeniya.

The last king of Lanka ruled from Kandy. He built the present temple called the Sri Dalada Maligawa where the Sacred Relic is housed even today.

Sri Dalada Maligawa

The original building is believed to have been built during the time of King Vimaladharmasuriya (1687-1707) or King Narendrasinghe. According to tradition it was considered the personal property of the king and only he could worship the relic daily. It is believed that Vimaladharmasuriya built the present shrine with three floors for his personal use only and not for the people. This building probably fell into decay and Narendrasinghe had either built it whole or renovated the present temple. With the passage of time many improvements have taken place. The present temple is a magnificent building with wood carvings, painted ceilings and internal work in ivory.

The Tooth Relic rests inside a gold and gem-studded casket and placed over seven caskets.

Rituals are performed and music and sounds fill the temple to the accompaniment of Nagasinnam - a ritualistic music ensemble, before the door of the chamber is opened in the morning and evening.

The other daily ritual is the mid-day offering to the Sri Dalada, an alms giving steeped in tradition called “Daval Aahaara Pujawa” comprising rice and 32 curries offered with great devotion and respect.

This is a special event that not many get a chance to participate in - a ritual coming down from the days of ancient kings. The next is the procession, the annual Kandy festival, held on Esala Poya.

Dalada Perahera

This is the most glamorous and most spectacular pageant in the whole of Asia conducted amidst cries of ‘Sadhu’ by the thousands who flock to Kandy from here and abroad. The most spectacular sight is that of the majestic Maligawa tusker marching the streets of the hill capital with all the requisites of a grand pageant.

King Kithsiri Mevan who received the Sacred Tooth Relic had decreed that ceremonies should be conducted annually.

History records how this had been observed by his followers up to the fifth century. The Chinese pilgrim monk Fa-hsien, has stated “During the month of Esala every year the Sacred Tooth Relic is exhibited to the people. Ten days in advance an announcement is made by the beat of the drums. A public crier mounted on a caparisoned elephant makes the announcement.”

The Mahawamsa provides a description of the grand manner in which Dalada Perahera was conducted by King Parakramabahu the Great.

“The road about one Yoduna in extent from the royal palace to Dalada Maligawa situated at the centre of the city was levelled and either side of the road was decorated with canopies, wall paintings, pandals... and the street was not second to the Sakra’s street Sudarshana”.

The Mahavamsa also gives an appealing account of King Panditha Parakramabahu’s devotion and interest in the Sacred Tooth Relic.

“The Relics were carried in a chariot which was fully decorated. Flags variegated with gold and silver were hoisted, banners, Punkalas flower vases were displayed”.

The Daladasiritha another literary work dealing with the Sacred Relic gives an illustrious account of the perahera conducted on an elaborate scale during the reign of King Parakramabahu IV.

According to chronicles, the perahera had been a unique event throughout history.

May the Sacred Tooth Relic shower its blessings on our Dharmadweepa for ever!