Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is sri Lanka’s holiest Buddhist shrine, on Kandy’s lakeside, enshrining a relic tooth of the Buddha. Time your visit for a “puja” when the inner chamber opens. Getting there: Central Kandy, walkable from the lake. Open 05:30 to 20:00 (puja 05:30, 09:30, 18:30). Entry LKR 3000.
A sacred site. Cover shoulders and knees, remove shoes and hats, and be quiet inside.
Good to know
Before you visit
Places of worship are active and sacred, not just sights. A little care is expected and warmly received.
- Cover shoulders and knees. Bring a sarong or scarf; some sites lend or rent a wrap at the entrance.
- Take shoes and hats off before entering. Stone can be scorching by midday — a pair of socks saves your feet at big sites like Anuradhapura.
- Be quiet and unhurried, give way to worshippers, and skip public displays of affection.
- A small donation to the offering box is appreciated but never required.
At a Buddhist temple
- Never pose with your back to, or beside, a Buddha statue, and never point your feet at one. This is taken seriously — tourists have been arrested and deported for it, and Buddha tattoos can be refused entry to the country.
- Photographing the shrines is usually fine; disrespectful or “selfie” poses with Buddha images are not, and can be an offence.
- Do not touch monks; women should hand anything to a monk via a layman or place it down. Sit lower than the Buddha image and the monks.
Based on Sri Lanka Tourism visitor guidance and travel-advisory norms. Disrespecting an image of the Buddha is an offence under Sri Lankan law.
Make a day of it
5 stops nearby · ~1 km · approx $40/person
- 1 Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic You’re here
- 2 The Radh Hotel 0.3 km
- 3 King Street Jumma Masjid 0.4 km
- 4 Sri Maha Kataragama Devalaya - Kandy 0.5 km
- 5 Presbyterian Church (Scots' Kirk) 0.5 km
Rough per-person estimate from sourced rates (PickMe/km, meals, entry). Confirm locally.
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Common questions
How do I get to Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic?
Central Kandy, walkable from the lake.
What are the opening hours at Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic?
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is open 05:30 to 20:00 (puja 05:30, 09:30, 18:30). Hours can change on poya days and public holidays, so confirm before you travel.
How much is entry to Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic?
Entry is LKR 3000 for foreign visitors at the last check. Ticket prices are reviewed periodically, so treat this as a guide and confirm at the gate.
Is Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic suitable for children?
Yes. Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic works well for families, though younger children will need supervision and shade breaks.
Is Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic wheelchair accessible?
Yes. The main areas of Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic are reachable without stairs, though surfaces can be uneven in places.
Is there a dress code at Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic?
White/modest; shoulders & knees covered; shoes & hats off. This is enforced at the entrance, so carry a scarf or sarong if in doubt.
How current is this information?
These details were last verified in 2026-06. Time-sensitive details such as fees and opening hours should always be confirmed with the official source before you travel.