It is told that King Vimaladharmasuriya 1 (1590-1604) was the first king who brought the Tooth Relic to Kandy from Delgamuwa, Ratnapura and located it in a three storey Shrine, but when different kinds of interruptions occurred the King that followed at that time took it to a safer location such as Medamahanuvara or Kundasale. The present two-storey Shrine is said to have been built by King Narendrasinghe. In addition, the last King of Kandy beautified this Dalada Maligawa. When the British Governed at that time they agreed to protect the Sacred Tooth Relic and conduct all religious services according to it and still today it is being done under strict supervision of the three chief custodians of the Tooth Relic, and they are the most Venerable Mahanayakes of Malwatte and Asgiriya and the lay custodian, the Diyawadana Nilame.
* The Route (Maha Maluwa)
All visitors to the Dalada Maligawa would enter the Maha Maluwa through the newly built gateway, which is in front of the Queen’s Hotel. In addition, the visitors pass the several memorial statues of D.S. Senanayka, the first Prime Minister of Sri Lanka then the statue of Madduma Bandara the young hero son of Ehalepola and the memorial pillar enshrining the skull of Keppetipola Disava. On to the right, the visitors can see a modern sculpture of Danta and Hemamala the Royal Prince and the Princess, who brought the Tooth Relic to Sri Lanka from India in the 4ht century. To the left we can see the statue of Venerable Wariyapola Sri Sumangala Thera who brought the British flag down when it was hoisted before signing the Kandyan Treaty. The Dalada Veediya and the Kandy Lake (Kirimuhuda) which was built by the last king while on to the left the visitors could see the Natha and Pattini Devalas, which is separated by the Elephant Street (At-Veediya), board the Maha Maluwa on the right. These gods are considered to be the protectors of the Sacred Tooth Relic and consequently, play an important role in the annual Dalada Perahera.
*Tunnel (Ambarava) and Hall (Hevisi Mandapa)
The Ambarava is a painted tunnel, which possesses an exquisitely decorated (Makara Thorana). The tunnel leads to the long hall in front of the Tooth Relic Shrine, which constitutes the drummer’s veranda (Hevisi Mandapa). Thrice a day, morning, noon and evening, the drummers beat their drums during the service time. Once the service is over the pilgrims and the visitors are allowed to enter the Shrine chamber where the Sacred Tooth Relic is kept. The beating of the drums will be stopped as soon as the Shrine chamber is closed.
*Upper Hall (Digge)
The visitors have to climb the staircase, which is at the left side of the entrance in order to visit the upper hall. On the gangway, they will see a small stupa in which it is believed to have contained the Bowl Relic of the Buddha.
*Tooth Relic Shrine
(Vadahitina Maligawa)
The people who come to visit the Tooth Relic are able to enter the Shrine to in a queue carrying flowers. In addition, the doors are opened at specific times (morning, noon and evening). The monks could enter the entrance door at the lower storey and the nonprofessionals engaged in service (Tevava), the Diyawadana Nilame and the very special invitees. This entrance door at the lower storey is exquisitely designed with silver carvings, which is a masterpiece. The exterior passage of the Shrine chamber is divided into several rooms. In addition, inside the Shrine chamber the devotees and the visitors are able to view the golden Relic Casket, which contains the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Lord Buddha, which is said to be enshrined in six other caskets of precious material and placed within a bullet-proof glass chamber. Also in this chamber, every one is able to see a small gold casket offered by Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe, which is usually carried by the chief tuskers in the annual procession. This is decorated with precious ornaments and cowries (Camera) which is offered by the royalty. Sometimes a newborn is placed on the Shrine by placing the baby in front of the Shrine chamber.
*Octagon (Pattirippuwa)
Before going through the door of the Pallemale, the visitors usually make a point to worship at the small Shrine situated at the left of the door then go and visit the Octagon. This Shrine contains a beautiful, exquisite medium seize image of the Buddha showing earth-touching hand pose which is donated from Burma. The last king of Kandy, Sri Vikrama Rajasinghe built this Octagon, which is a two-storied structure in purpose of serving a dual purpose.
*Tangential Buildings
When the visitors enter this area on the three sides to the right, left and back are found structures over the year to serve various functions of the Sacred Tooth Relic. The service period is in the month of July at the beginning of the rainy season and the monks of the two Chapters of Malwatta and Asgiriya monasteries conduct these. The office of the Diyavadana Nilame is situated in the left building. The new Maligawa building is at the back of the Shrine, it is a three-storied. On entering the ground floor of these solid building visitors are able to see the golden Buddha image and other decorative sculptures donated by the Thai Royal. Recent paintings relating the various episodes of the Sacred Tooth Relic decorate the pillar hall, which is used by the devotees in holding religious ceremonies on special occasions.
*New Museum
The two upper storey of this building has been transferred into a new museum, exhibiting almost all the gifts donated to the Dalada Maligawa over the centuries.
*External Edifices
To the north of the Tooth Shrine, the visitors are able to visit some important edifices outside.
The Audience Hall (Mogul Maduwa) of the royalty where the Kandy conventions was held.
The room exhibiting the remains of the great elephant Raja which died at the age of 82 years, having carried the relic casket in the annual procession for over 50 years.
The original moonstone of the entrance destroyed by the bomb blast 1998.
Peripheral Buildings
The moon stone (Sahdakada Pahana) was originally a semicircular slab used as an originally a semicircular slab used as a doormat. The early sculptors to display their decorative skills used this stone. When the early concepts were forgotten gradually, the whole moonstone was changed into a decorative floral slab.
*Pancanari
It is a pot formed of five women interlocking themselves to produce the figure of a pot. The artists of the late medieval period excelled themselves in introducing such intricate composite designs, e.g. Caturnari-Pallakiya (Chariot of four women), Pancanari Ghata (Pot of five women), Saptanari Ratha (Chariot of seven women) etc.
*Makara Thorana
This is an arch formed of the mythical animal Makara (Dragon). The devilish countenance which is topped on pillars on either side form selves an arch is called kibisi~muhuna symbolizing time (Kala). On either side of the arch on top are representations of protective divinities.
*Time of Service (Tevava)
Morning: 05.30~08.00am
Noon: 09.30~11.00am
Evening: 06.30~08.00pm
*Festivals connected with Dalada Maligawa
January: Aluth Sahal Mangallaya
April: New Year Festival
May: Vesak Perahera & Upasampada Ceremony
June: Poson Perahera
July 1 August: Esala Perahera
Every Wednesday: Nanumura Mangallaya.
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Distance from Colombo to Kandy - 116 Km.
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