Sacred Tooth Temple in Kandy, Sri Lanka

Discover sacred temples, monasteries, stupas and pilgrimage sites.

CategoryCultural and Heritage
Featured places5
Generally bestYear-round
Famous destinations

Where to go — our favourite places for this experience, ready to fit into a route that suits your dates and pace.

  1. 01

    Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Tooth)

    Kandy

    Sri Dalada Maligawa stands beside Kandy Lake and houses the Sacred Tooth Relic within the former royal palace complex.

    Sacred Tooth Temple in Kandy, Sri Lanka
    Temple of the Tooth
  2. 02

    Sri Maha Bodhi

    Anuradhapura

    Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi is the sacred Bodhi tree in Anuradhapura's Mahamewna Gardens, enclosed within a living Buddhist pilgrimage site.

    Sacred Bodhi before c.1913 (color-corrected to remove red hue) and in the recent past. Planted by King Devānāmpiya Tissa in 245 BC, it is one of the oldest surviving historical trees.
    Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi
  3. 03

    Ruwanwelisaya

    Anuradhapura

    Ruwanwelisaya is the large white stupa in Anuradhapura's sacred city, with a surrounding terrace and a distinctive elephant wall.

    Ruwanwelisaya Stupa in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
    Ruwanwelisaya
  4. 04

    Mihintale

    Mihintale's hilltop monastic complex near Anuradhapura includes stone stairways, stupas and the Aradhana Gala viewpoint.

    Missaka Pawwa in Mihintale, where the Arahath Mahinda landed. This is also known as Aradhana Gala.
    Mihintale
  5. 05

    Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara

    Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara, near Colombo, is known for its Buddhist shrine buildings and murals painted by Solias Mendis.

    AtulaSiriwardane 17:48, 12 April 2007 (UTC)
    Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara

Good to know

Dress modestly at temples and sacred sites — cover shoulders and knees, and remove shoes and hats where asked. Opening times and entry fees change, so we confirm them when we plan your trip.

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