dalada

Dalada refers to the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha, a highly venerated Buddhist relic in Sri Lanka. The term is most commonly associated with the tooth that is enshrined in the Dalada Maligawa, also known as the Temple of the Tooth, in Kandy. The relic and its temple are central to Sri Lankan Buddhist worship and to the country’s cultural heritage.

Origins and history

According to Sri Lankan chronicles, the tooth relic is believed to be a tooth of Gautama Buddha that was brought to Sri Lanka in antiquity by a princess and her consort during the early centuries of the common era. It was traditionally housed in several ancient capitals, including Anuradhapura and Polonnaruva, before being brought to the Kandyan capital in 1592. King Vimaladharma Suri established the present temple complex in Kandy to house the relic, which is kept in a gilded reliquary within the inner shrine.

Significance and practices

The Dalada is regarded as a symbol of Buddhism and of Sri Lankan sovereignty. The temple complex is overseen by a lay custodian, the Diyawadana Nilame, who is responsible for rituals and processions related to the relic. A major cultural event tied to the Dalada is the Dalada Perahera, a grand annual procession featuring dancers, drummers, and decorated elephants, which has ancient roots and draws participants and spectators from across the country.

Present-day status

Today, the Temple of the Tooth remains the most sacred Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka for many Buddhists. The relic is displayed publicly only on selected ceremonial occasions, while the temple and its surrounding precincts continue to serve as a major pilgrimage site and cultural landmark.