Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic | Sri Dalada Maligawa | Kandy Sri Lanka скачать в хорошем качестве

Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic | Sri Dalada Maligawa | Kandy Sri Lanka

The Temple of the Tooth Relic, also known as Sri Dalada Maligawa, in Kandy, Sri Lanka, holds immense historical and cultural significance for Buddhists worldwide. Its history is deeply intertwined with the political and religious narrative of the country. The Sacred Relic's Journey The story of the tooth relic itself predates the temple in Kandy. According to legend, after the cremation of the Buddha, his left canine tooth was retrieved from the ashes. It was then preserved in the ancient kingdom of Kalinga in India. Fearing its destruction during a war, the last Indian king to possess the tooth, King Guhasiva of Kalinga, had it smuggled to Sri Lanka in the 4th century CE. Princess Hemamala and Prince Dantha, disguised as Brahmins, brought the relic hidden in the princess's hair. The tooth relic was received by the Sri Lankan King Sirimeghavanna of Anuradhapura, who enshrined it. From that point on, a powerful tradition emerged: whoever held the tooth relic was believed to have the divine right to rule the country. This led successive Sri Lankan monarchs to protect and build shrines for the relic close to their royal residences as the capital shifted over centuries, from Anuradhapura to Polonnaruwa, Dambadeniya, and other cities. Arrival in Kandy and Construction of the Temple The sacred relic finally arrived in Kandy, the last capital of the Sinhalese kings, in the late 16th century. First Temple (1592): The first temple to house the tooth relic in Kandy was built by King Wimaladharmasuriya I. However, it was destroyed by a Portuguese invasion in 1603. Subsequent Temples: The relic was hidden and later recovered. A new temple was built by King Rajasinghe II in the mid-17th century, which was also destroyed. King Wimaladharmasuriya II built a three-story temple in 1687, which eventually decayed. The Current Temple (18th century): The present two-story temple was built by King Vira Parakrama Narendra Singha from 1707 to 1739. It was later renovated and beautified by King Kirti Sri Rajasinghe. The famous octagonal pavilion, known as the Paththirippuwa, was added during the reign of King Sri Wickrama Rajasinha (1798-1815). Custodianship and Modern History The custodianship of the relic is a significant role, entrusted to the two chief monks of the Malwatte and Asgiriya chapters, along with a lay custodian called the Diyawadana Nilame. They conduct daily rituals and are responsible for the temple's upkeep. The temple has also faced challenges in modern times. It was attacked by militant groups in 1989 and 1998, causing damage to the facade and other parts of the complex. However, each time it was meticulously restored. Today, the Temple of the Tooth Relic is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a major pilgrimage destination, drawing thousands of devotees and tourists who come to witness the centuries-old rituals and pay homage to the revered relic. The annual Esala Perahera festival, a grand procession featuring dancers, drummers, and ornately decorated elephants, is a major cultural event held in honor of the sacred tooth.