The Temple of the Tooth, Kandy

The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, in the hill city of Kandy, is the holiest Buddhist shrine in Sri Lanka, enshrining a revered relic said to be a tooth of the Buddha himself. Set beside a serene artificial lake in the last royal capital of the island, its golden-roofed shrine draws a steady stream of white-clad pilgrims bearing lotus offerings, especially during the daily ceremonies, and the whole atmospheric city is a UNESCO site.

What you actually see

• The golden shrine - the inner sanctum enshrining the sacred tooth relic.
• The daily puja - the ceremonies of drumming and offerings.
• The pilgrims - the white-clad devotees bearing lotus flowers.
• The lake and city - the serene lake and the hill capital of Kandy.

When to go

December to April for the driest weather in the hills; time your visit around one of the daily puja ceremonies, when the shrine is opened amid drumming. The spectacular Esala Perahera festival in July or August fills the streets with lavishly decorated elephants and dancers.

Honest expectations

It is a deeply sacred, active place of worship, so a strict modest dress code is enforced, with shoulders and knees covered and shoes removed, and respectful, quiet behaviour is expected. It is busy, especially at puja times. The actual tooth relic is not on display, kept within layers of golden caskets. Security is tight following past attacks.

Nearby

The Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, the hill country and the tea plantations are nearby.