By A special exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic will be held for the public after the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced today. While some may interpret this as a political strategy to maintain the government’s popularity, others see it as an effort to enrich the nation’s cultural heritage.
The Mahanayaka Theras of the Malwathu and Asgiriya Chapters are the custodians of the Sacred Tooth Relic, and the President has already consulted them regarding the event. He stated that the Mahanayaka Theras have agreed to hold the exposition after April.
The President emphasized that an exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic has not been organized for 16 years and that the government formally requested the Mahanayaka Theras to arrange the event.
During his visit to the historic Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake paid homage to the relic and received blessings, according to the President’s Media Division (PMD).
10 Important Facts About the Sacred Tooth Relic
The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa): Located in Kandy, this temple houses the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha, a revered object of religious and political significance in Sri Lanka. The relic is kept in a golden casket and guarded at all times.
Violent Attacks: The temple has been targeted in violent attacks, the most devastating being the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) suicide bombing in 1998.
Preservation Methods: To ensure its protection, the Sacred Tooth Relic has traditionally been placed in intricately designed caskets made of gold, silver, and other precious materials.
Royal Protection: Throughout history, Sri Lankan kings considered the Tooth Relic not only a sacred object but also a symbol of legitimate political rule, often securing it in the capital of their kingdom.
Concealment During the Portuguese Invasion: In the 16th century, when the Portuguese attacked Kotte, the Tooth Relic was secretly hidden inside a grinding stone in Ratnapura to prevent its capture.
Historical Public Viewings: The relic has been publicly displayed on rare occasions, such as during the reign of King Kirti Sri Rajasinghe (1747–1782) and after the British took control of Kandy in 1815.3. Another rare exposition was held in 1916, during British colonial rule.Sri Lanka hosted the United Nations International Vesak Conference, a major Buddhist event in 1978 and thiss was last known public exposition of the relic.
British Custody: After the British conquest in 1815, the Sacred Tooth Relic was placed under British government protection to prevent it from being used as a symbol of political resistance.
Return to Buddhist Clergy: In 1853, following demands from Buddhist leaders, the British returned control of the relic to the Maha Nayaka Theras (chief monks), though they continued to oversee broader colonial governance.
Modern Practices:
The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa) in Kandy conducts elaborate daily rituals (known as Thevava) to honor and protect the relic. These rituals follow a strict schedule and are performed by Buddhist monks, temple custodians, and traditional drummers.
Three Daily Offerings are made (Puja)
Every day, three main puja (offerings) are made to the Sacred Tooth Relic at specific times:Morning Ritual (Dawn Puja – 5:30 AM)Midday Ritual (Noon Puja – 9:30 AM / 10:30 AM)
Noon offering This is a secondary offering, where more food, flowers, and incense are presented.The ritual is accompanied by drumming (Hewisi), chanting of Buddhist scriptures (Pirith), and lighting of lamps and incense.
.Evening Ritual (Dusk Puja – 6:30 PM / 7:00 PM)
The final offering of the day, performed with great reverence and devotion.
A fresh set of offerings (flowers, incense, and holy water) is placed before the sacred casket.
The Hewisi drummers play rhythmic beats while monks chant sacred verses.
The relic has long been associated with Sri Lanka’s cultural identity and sovereignty. It remains a focal point for religious devotion and national pride.
