Kandy, Sri Lanka is home to the temple of the Tooth, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The monument, often known as the temple of the precious tooth, is actually a Buddhist temple. The sacred tooth of Buddha is said to have been covertly transported to Sri Lanka in 313 AD by Princess Hemamali, who was fleeing the Hindu troops advancing on her father’s kingdom in India. The tooth was concealed in Princess Hemamali’s hair.
Visitors arrive to witness the ceremonies, which are conducted three times daily—at dawn, noon, and dusk. The temple is ornately carved and decorated with lacquer, ivory, and inlaid wood. The tooth relic is placed inside a two-story inner shrine that is flanked by two enormous elephant tusks. The tooth is kept in a jeweled casket that sits on a throne and is mounted on a solid gold lotus flower.
The Kiri Muhuda artificial lake, which surrounds the temple of the tooth in Kandy, Sri Lanka, is thought to have healing properties and is used to dispense holy water to visitors.
