The Visit to this Sri Dalada
Maligawa also known as The temple of Sacred Tooth Relic, a Buddhist Temple, at Kandy in
Sri Lanka was a part of Sri Lanka’s ( Ezha Nadu ) Paadal Petra sthalangal Visit scheduled between 28th November
to 2nd December 2013. Utilising this opportunity, we have
Visited some, Shiva, Murugan, Amman Temples and Epic Ramayan associated sites
of Sri Lanka.
After Darshan of Lord Sri Soma
Sundareswarar, we had been to a Buddhist Temple – Sri Dalada Maligawa at Kandy. The
meaning of Kandy is Sanyasi City. ( Kandy – Senkatapura, Senkata = Sanyasi,
Pura = City ). The river Manavali flows around the city Kandy. This temple is
one of the UNESCO Heritage site of Sri Lanka, declared in 1988. The Sacred
Tooth Relic, which is housed at this Temple, is being considered and worshipped as the living God Buddha. It is interesting to note that Buddha had visited tree times to SRI LANKA.
ARCHITECTURE
The temple is inside the palace of
Kandy Kingdom. The architecture is of unique kandyan architecture style used to
build this “Dalada Mandira” the shrines which housed the Sacred Tooth Relic, previously in other kingdoms. The Tooth Relic is kept at the centre of the
building in first floor, which is made of wood with intricate carvings.
A Brick was built along the moat and
the Bogambara lake is called water waves wall. The wall has the provision to
light oil lamps. The main entrance gate with steps, which lies over the moat is
called Mahawahalkada. There is a Sandakada pahana ( moon stone ), carved in Kandyan
style architecture is at the foot steps
of Mahawahalkada entrance. This was destroyed during 1998 bombing and the same
was rebuilt with new Sandakada pahana stone carvings. Stone elephants are
installed on both sides of the entrance. Makara thorana is on the top and
Dwarapalakas / guardian on both sides are at the staircase.
A Hewisi drummers chamber is in
front of the shrine. The lower / ground floor is called as Palle Malaya and the
1st floor / upper floor is
called as Udu malaya or weda hitina
maligawa. The entrance doors of these floors are with ivory carvings.
The main shrine or the chamber in
which Sacred Tooth Relics is known as “Handun Kunama”. The shrine is adorned
with intricate carvings using gold, Silver, bronze and Ivory. A golden canopy
is installed over the golden caskets where the Sacred Tooth Relic kept and a
Golden fence was erected in 1987 by the
then Prime minister Ranasinghe Premadasa.
The Sacred Tooth Relic is encased in seven golden caskets studded with gem
stones. The Golden caskets are in the shape of stupa. The procession casket
used during the Kandy Esala Perahera / procession is
also kept along with the golden caskets.
The associated buildings and
structures are Royal Palace also known as Maligawa ( Used as a Royal residence
by the kings, now it serves as archaeological museum ), Audience hall also
known as magul maduwa ( the place where the Kandyan kings held their court, now
used to conduct state ceremonies and is being maintained by the archaeological
Department ) and a Mahamaluwa, which contains the statue of Madduma Bandara,
the memorial that contains the skull of Keppetipola Disawe. The statues of
Hemamala and the Price Dantha are also in Mahamaluwa.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
As per Maha Parinibbana sutta of Deegha Chapter,
among few other sacred relics, the four sacred
tooth relics remained intact
following Mahaprinirvana. Lord Buddha’s left canine tooth out of the
four Tooth Relics which was blessed Sri Saddhamma for 45 years
was brought to Sri Lanka due to the Continuous conflicts during the reign of King Mutaseewa in the Kingdom of Kalinga. The Scared Tooth Relic was brought to Sri
Lanka by the Princess Hemamala and Prince Dantha from the city of Kalinga during the
reign of the King Keerthi Sri Meghavarna ( Kithsrimewan 301- 328 CE ) It has
become the symbol of Sri Lankan Kings and was preciously guarded in a special
Shrine built within the Palace, wherever the capital was located, in other
words the Sacred Tooth relic decides the Kingdom and the Capital where it is
Kept. The Tooth relics was kept previously at Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa,
Dambadeniya, Yapahuwa,Kurunegala, Kotte and Gampola and finally at Kandy
Kingdom.
Princess Hemamala and Prince Dantha
The first “Dalada Madura” in Kandy,
which housed the Sacred Tooth Relic was built by King Wimaladharmasuriya-I (
1592 – 1604). This was destroyed by the Portuguese during their invasion. The
second temple was built in the same location by the King Rajasinghe-II ( 1635 –
1687 ), which was burnt by Dutch. The Dalada history says in year 1687, the
King Wimaladharmasuriya-II built a 3 storeyed Dalada Madura and performed
Dalada rituals with great devotion but the building was decayed and destroyed.
Latter his son King Sri Vira Parakrama Narendrasinghe ( 1707 – 1739 CE ),
built a 2 storeyed Dalada Madura which exists even today.
The South Indian Kings ( Probably
the Chozha Kings – Rajaraja-I, or Pandyas.. ? ) who ruled the country from
Senkadagala renovated and protected the shrine. Again the temple was finely
renovated and beautified by the king Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe to its present
appearance.
Paththirippuwa or the Octagonal
Pavilion was constructed by the king Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe ( 1798 – 1815 ).
The affairs of the Sacred Tooth
Relic temple, which include conducting religious rituals is being maintained by
three Chief custodians, the most Venerable Mahanayake Theros of Malwatta and
Asgiriya Chapters and Diyawadana Nilame. These Malwatta and Asgiriya monastic
establishments are closely associated with this Sacred Tooth Relic Temple.
The Kandy Sri Somasundareswarar
Temple 11 days annual utsavam, the procession will stop at this temple and the
priest will do pooja to the tooth Relic of Buddha.
The temple was damaged to certain
extend due to bombing by Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna in 1989 and Liberation
Tigers of Tamil Eelam in 1998. The temple was restored back after both attacks.
LEGENDS
It is believed that the tooth relic
of Buddha plays an important role in Politics. Whoever holds the Relic will
also holds the Governance of the Country. Also it was told that the place where
the tooth relic is always considered as a Capital of that Country and custodian
will be a King who rules the whole country. The history records that many
battles were happened to retain or to get the Tooth Relic.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Daily three services conducted, they
are, morning 5.30 hrs to 7.00 hrs, Midday Service 9.30 hrs to 11.00 hrs and
Evening Service 6.30 hrs to 20.00 hrs. The Services are changed once in a year
after the Esala full moon Poya day, between Theros of Malwathu and Asgiri
Chapters. Inventories are taken and formal handing over and taking over
ceremonies are conducted.
Morning service.. The service starts around 5.15 hrs
with beating of Hewisi drums. Since the service is conducted as per the
schedule, those who came to attend has to wait till the Silver and Golden doors
are opened by the care takers. The offerings like Jasmine flowers or “Saman Pichcha” and other offerings to the living Buddha ie
the Tooth relic is done in a systematic manner. This is done by starting with
Silver and Gold vessels with great care, devotion and respect by the authorized
monk.
Midday Service ... The monks who had done the morning
service, will do this service too. After the oil lamps are lit, the withered
flowers are removed. The official called “Geparala” hand over the Jasmine
Flowers or “Saman Pichcha” in a Silver
tray. The other officials or the monks will bring the meals or “Buddha Pooja”
with conch blowers. The removal of the
vessels will also be done by the same monk. During offerings ceremonial
drumming or “Magul Bera” are played. Then the doors are closed after the respective official
inspects that everything is in order.
Evening Service.... The evening service starts with
Hewisi sound. Withered flowers are removed and fresh flowers are offered. In
this service Juices or “Gilan Pasa and other offerings like a mixture of Sugar,
Sukiri and sugary sap of Kithul palm or “Althelijja” is offered in a small
goblets. Also Honey, Ginger Juice and Ghee are offered in a combination through
Silver and Gold goblets. There are two
Gilanpasa offering is done. The second Gilanpasa offering started during the
period of King Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe.
Amuthu Muluthen Poojawa... This was a custom followed in the
King’s Palace, as a part of Kings respect to the Living Buddha ie the Tooth
Relic. For this Pooja 32 Serus of rice ( ancient measurement ) was cooked and
now this was reduced to 16 Serus. In addition 32 curries are prepared.
Weekly Service... The “Nanumura” ceremony or
“Nanumura Mangallaya” is preformed on
every Wednesday. During this service two service women called “Alatti
Amma” will recite poems in praise of
Buddha. A small silver casket is used to symbolize the relic casket. The shadow
of the casket is made to fall on a mirror which is bathed with fragrant herbal
concoction. After the ceremony the fragrant bath concoction is distributed to
the devotees. It is believed that this has the healing power. Finally flowers
are offered to the Relic Casket.
There are 4 main traditional annual
festivals and rituals are conducted to bless the agricultural based country
with timely rains and prosperity, of the temple of Sacred Tooth Relic. They are,
new harvest festival conducted in January ( Duruthu ), the new year festival in April ( Bak ), Esala
Perahera festival in July or August ( Esala or Nikini ) and Karthika Festival
in November.
Festival of New Rice ( New Harvest festival ).... This is the last festival in the
Sinhalese calendar. The Rice with milk is offered to the Sacred tooth relic. During Kings period
the King will directly do that. Nowadays the Custodian Diyawadana Nilame will
distribute rice to 91 Temples and devalas. 80 Serus rice with milk will be
offered at this Sacred Tooth Relic on the Duruthu Full Moon Poya day.
New Year Festival.... This is the first festival in the
month of April as per the Sinhalese Calendar. On new year day apart from usual
offerings, everything will be offered
which consists of 5 activities. They are New Holy bath, Boiling of milk,
preparing food items and oil anointing ceremony. These are done for the
abundance of prosperity to the country and its people.
There are lot of paintings and
Murals. One such painting was about the function to get rain. Persons with whip
/chavukku, fire lamps, Sri Lankan nadhaswaram and drums, Elephant with
relic goes in procession. This signifies the Thunder, Lightning, Wind and rain
clouds ( Elephants ).
The Esala Perahera Festival.... This is considered as a most
historic Cultural Event in the world. Apart from daily rituals the Dalada
Perahera, which is based on Buddhist respect and kindness, compiled with
rituals of Devala, prioritizing the ultimate humanity. The Kandy Esala Perahera
casket which is considered as living Lord Buddha which parades the streets on
the of highly decorated Elephants, is worshiped
with divinity, humanity. The Sinhalese music instrument Hewisi will be
played in front of the procession. Oil lamps will be carried along the
procession. This is considered as to be oldest Cultural event in the world and
continues with its colourful glamorous splendour making it an out of this world
experience.
Karthika Festival... This festival is celebrated in the
month of November by having a beautiful
Perahera on parade followed by lighted oil Lamps being offered to the Sacred
Tooth Relic once the night falls. Oil Lamps will all over the temple complex,
which reminds the Diwali festival celebrated by Hindus. During ancient the time
the King will directly distribute the oil and nowadays, the custodian
Diyawadana Nilame distributes the oil, to the 4 main Devalas of Kandy and some
of the listed rural Devalas.
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The three services will be performed
between 05.30 hrs to 20.00 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS
HOW TO REACH
The temple is 2.6 KM from Kandy
Railway station, 24 KM from Matale, 73
KM from Dambulla, 135 KM from Colombo and 151 KM from Anuradhapura.
Nearest Railway station is
Kandy.
Princess Hemamala and Prince Dantha
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
