Kandy Awaits: Sacred Tooth Relic to Be Revealed After 16 Years

 

Kandy is buzzing with spiritual energy, anticipation, and devotion. Thousands of Buddhists from across the island have already begun arriving in the hill capital ahead of a rare and historic event — the special exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic at the Sri Dalada Maligawa, due to begin on Friday, April 18, 2025.

For many, this is more than just a religious observance. It’s a once-in-a-generation opportunity.

The revered relic — believed to be a tooth of the Buddha himself — is usually kept securely within a golden casket inside the inner chamber of the temple. It is only brought out for public veneration on the rarest of occasions.

This year’s exposition comes after a gap of 16 years. It will last 10 days, from April 18 to 27, and is expected to draw unprecedented crowds.

The Pilgrim Rush: Devotion in Motion

By early Thursday morning, the streets of Kandy were already packed. According to local reports, some devotees arrived as early as Wednesday midnight, lining up patiently outside the temple gates.

With more pilgrims expected to flood in over the next several days, authorities are taking no chances. A massive deployment of 10,000 police personnel is already in motion to ensure crowd control, traffic management, and public safety.

A special traffic plan for Kandy kicked off on April 17, while additional train and bus services are being run to help devotees reach the sacred city.

A City Transformed for Devotion

To accommodate the influx, at least 50 schools in and around Kandy will remain closed between April 21 and 25, freeing up space for logistics, security staff, and any elderly or differently-abled pilgrims in need of assistance.

Liquor shops and beef stalls across the city will remain closed throughout the exposition period, in keeping with religious sensitivities and traditions.

The Kandy Municipal Council has also stepped in to regulate the customary Dansal (almsgivings), requiring all organizers to register their food distribution events in advance to ensure hygiene, order, and accessibility.

A Sacred Moment in History

The Sacred Tooth Relic is Sri Lanka’s most treasured Buddhist symbol. Safeguarded through centuries of invasions, colonialism, and upheaval, it represents not only spiritual power but also the legitimacy of sovereignty and peace.

The last public exposition in 2009 drew millions. This year, the turnout could be even larger, as Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike gather to witness and honor this sacred occasion.

For many, it’s a pilgrimage of faith. For some, a long-awaited blessing. And for all, it is a powerful reminder of the country’s living spiritual heritage.