Buddha's Got a Tooth in
Kandy
Meera
Bhardwaj 19th March 2016 New Indian
Express
BENGALURU: The
island nation of Sri Lanka forms part of a Buddhist circuit that is
very popular and attracts devotees as well as tourists from far and
wide. On my visit to Sri Lanka, on the itinerary was a visit to a
site where an ancient relic, the tooth of Lord Buddha, has been
preserved and worshiped for more than 2,000 years.
The Temple of Tooth
Relic is situated in the heart of Kandy town. Situated next to a
lake amid rolling hills, the temple is based in the royal palace
complex of the former kingdom of Kandy. It is surrounded by lovely
gardens and one can relax in the various sitouts that spread across
the place.
This temple came
under sustained bombardment of the LTTE during the strife in 1998,
however, it was restored immediately, but one can still see many a
ruined structure strewn about in the park area.
We visited the
temple during morning hours, when just the second round of
prayers had begun with young and old thronging the prayer hall in
all devotion and offering flowers of every colour and hue to Lord
Buddha. We also saw mothers getting their babes blessed by the
monks.
The aroma of incense
sticks, flowers and continuous drumming added to the intense
devotion of thousands of people who were waiting to get a glimpse
of the holy relic which has been housed in this township for two to
three centuries. It was not just to see the relic but also to see
at close quarters how Buddhism is practised in various forms
outside India, the birthplace of this religion.
A two-storied
structure, the main shrine is decorated with lot of motifs,
paintings, sculptures, while the entrance door is carved in ivory.
The tooth is preserved in seven golden caskets (styled as a stupa)
that is engraved with precious gemstones but which one hardly gets
to see. It is covered by a crown so the relic is barely visible.
The casket is opened only during prayers or offerings and revealed
only three times a day – 5.30, 9.30 and 6.30 pm.
The golden canopy
over the main shrine is an added attraction here as pointed out by
our guide. Facing the shrine, is a huge table with offerings of
flowers while the air is thick with their perfume.
Wall paintings in
the temple interiors depict the history behind the tooth relic, how
it was brought from India, hidden and then installed at various
places by successive kings and disciples. The entire story of Lord
Buddha and the relic has been depicted through a series of oil
paintings inside the main shrine.
The Tooth Relic
temple is, in fact, a massive complex with huge halls, an audience
hall, and of course, a series of museums.
There is lot to see
in the royal palace complex with the collection of art works,
photographs, wooden carvings in the audience hall, a stuffed
elephant, the temple of the tooth museum, the National Museum and
even a bird sanctuary. The historical records of how the tooth
relic was preserved for centuries has been maintained in one of the
new museums.
Make it a point to
visit the temple only during early morning hours as, after this, it
becomes very crowded and it is impossible to see the magnificence
of the temple interiors. A guide is easily available for just
200-300 Sri Lankan rupees who will explain in detail the history
behind this world heritage site. The entry fee to the temple
iss`500 for visitors from SAARC countries while `1,000 from other
countries.