Sri Dalada Maligawa

Sri Dalada Maligawa Complex

            The Dalada Maligawa is one of the most revered places of the Buddhist community in the world, which displays the glory of the Kandyan Kingdom. Though popularly known as Senkadagala in its early years, Sri Vardhanapuraya was used in ancient times because of its beauty and prosperity. It was also known as Kandy, as it was home to the ruler. After the founding of the town by King Wickremabahu III of Gampola, it was Senasmatta Wickramabahu who ruled around 1469 AD. Buddhism flourished with the death of Konapu Bandara alias Wimaladharmasuriya I (1592 - 1604 AD). He continued to dominate the hill country until he was overthrown by the English in 1815.

         The Dalada Maligawa is a unique creation of the Kandyan Kingdom. The Dalada Maligawa was first known by the name Dalada. This palace was first built by King Wimaladharmasooriya I. The turmoil in the Kotte kingdom at that time had a detrimental effect on the Buddha Sasana and the Tooth Relic. As a result, the sacred Tooth Relic was placed in the newly built palace of King Dalangamu of the Sabaragamuwa Province. But the palace is no longer visible. King Senarath, who came to power in 1604, took him to central Kandy to protect the Tooth Relic from Portuguese invasion. King Rajasinghe II (1635 - 1687 AD) who built a new two storied shrine, brought the relics to Kandy and deposited it there. King Wimaladharmasooriya II (1687-707 AD) built it as a three storied palace. He was succeeded by his successor, King Veera Parakrama Narendrasinghe (1707 - 1739 AD). There are thirty-three Jataka Stories painted on the walls, but they are not seen today.

          The king erected a granary at Galmaduwa in order to deposit the Tooth Relic and offered it to the Dalada Maligawa. King Wijayarajasinghe (1739 - 1747 AD) succeeded to the throne and performed the Dalada Pooja. Other rulers have made similar sacrifices. The palace was built by King Sri Wickrema Rajasinghe, the last king of Sri Lanka's kings. It is called Paththirippuwa. This is a classic of the Kandyan period. The present Temple of the Tooth Relic is considered to have been built by King Sri Veera Parakrama Narendrasinghe. There are two rooms on the ground floor. The first is called Digge and the second is the General Fund. Upstairs are three rooms. The first and second rooms are called Hadukudama and the inner chamber where the sacred relics are placed is called the inner palace or the palace where the work is being built. To the south of the embankment was a poetic shed.

          The Hewisi Pavilion at Pallemala and to the right of it is the Vihara Mandiraya with Buddha statues known as Pallemalai. It houses a large gold-plated Buddha statue, a small shrine Buddha statue, and other sacred objects. This statue is considered to be a creation of King Rajadhirajasinghe. The shrine statue has been placed in a decorated monument with ivory and gold ornaments decorated by King Wimaladharmasuriya I of Delgamuva. It is believed that this temple was built by King Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe. The small stupa on the other side of the Hewisi Pavilion was built in the late 19th century. Some believe that the sacred relics have been buried here.

          The exterior of the palace has been protected by trenches. The Boundary Wall is called the Diyareli Wall. The hole in the line used to insert into the wall was used to light the oil lamps. Behind it was the cloud wall and the moat was in between these two walls. A bridge and a gateway to the structure. To access it, a triangular moonstone and ivory carving of the Kandyan period were carved.

          The ancient palace was located adjacent to the Dalada Maligawa. This is where the last king of Ceylon lived. Nuwara Wewa is one of the many features built by King Sri Wickrema Rajasinghe. This is AD. It is believed to have been built around 1812. The lake is also called "Kirisaurea". The Magul Maduwa designed by Devendra Mulachari is a monument to the carvings of Kandy. It was built by King Sri Wickrema Rajasinghe. This is similar to the temple of Ambakke. The beautiful tabernacle erected by this king in 1806 was the Uppal Gane. This building with a pond is a two storeyed building. Three sides of the building are submerged. The pool is filled with water for swimming, swimming pool and swimming pools. The palace in the center of the town is the underwater pavilion.

          The Theva of the Dalada Maligawa is performed by the Asgiri and Malwathu Ubha Viharaya Bhikkus. In addition to the daily rituals, there are four festivals called Aluth Sahal Mangalya, Sinhala New Year Festival, Perahera Festival and Karthika Mangalya. The Dalada Maligawa is a mirror depicting the customs and traditions of the Kingdom The discrimination can.