The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is one of the most important and panoramic sites in Sri Lanka that you should never miss out on visiting. Hence, we thought of sharing all the information you need to know when traveling to Kandy and about the things you should be aware of when visiting this place.
The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic can be reached when you travel about 116 km / 72 miles from the capital city, Colombo, to the central province. It is located at the heart of the city of Kandy, and you can either use private or public transport to get to the location. Everyone is expected to dress courteously and be on their best behavior inside the temple. The temple is open daily, and you can visit there from early morning to evening.
So, let’s see what we have listed for you in this article that will be important for you before traveling and visiting the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.
How Do I Get To The Temple Of The Tooth In Kandy, Sri Lanka?
The way of getting to this place entirely depends on your current location in Sri Lanka. However, there is access to the Temple of Sacred Tooth Relic no matter where you stay in the country. We will give you general information on how to get to this location from the capital city of Colombo or the Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake.
There are two possible ways to get to Kandy. That is, by using public or private transport. If you have already booked your trip to Sri Lanka with a guide, you will not have to worry as they will take you to Kandy in a private vehicle. But if you are not traveling with a guide, then you could book a private vehicle using a local taxi service: Uber, and a few general taxi services.
Note – It is essential to be aware of any travel restrictions, and you could use Google Maps to assist you with relevant directions.
Public transport to Kandy
Your trip to Kandy depends on your preference: you can either go straight to the capital city Colombo or use the expressway to reach Kandy directly. You could use two main public transport modes to reach Kandy: bus or train.
We can guarantee you a more pleasant, delightful experience if you choose to travel to Kandy by train, as you can catch a glimpse of scenic views all the way to this hill city. We recommend you get to the Fort railway station and then take the train to Kandy from there.
Transport tickets and booking
Tickets can be booked at the station itself, or you could use a third-party company, such as the cellular/mobile service provider (Mobitel, Dialog, etc.) you use during your stay in Sri Lanka, for the ticket reservation. But booking the tickets using a cellular/mobile service provider might cost you an extra charge on top of the train fare.
Experience
However, buses are abundant in Sri Lanka. You can find bus stops at regular intervals, so taking a bus to Kandy is relatively hassle-free. But, sometimes, the buses could be crowded with the locals buzzing away with their daily chores, and you might also face the language issue.
Hence, you may not like the awkward travel experience on a bus for so many kilometers/miles. Thus, your best picks would be to take a private vehicle or reserve tickets for a train ride.
If you travel in a private vehicle, you can get almost to the entrance of the temple. If you take the bus or the train, you may have to hire a tuk-tuk or a taxi to reach the location from the bus stop or the train station. You can find plenty of metered tuk-tuks around the busy Kandy town!
Exemptions
Domestic air services are available to Kandy from Colombo and several other places in Sri Lanka if you need to get to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in no time!
The seaplanes land at two main locations in Kandy: at Polgolla and Victoria reservoir. You could take a taxi from those destinations to the temple if you use domestic flights. These tours can be arranged by contacting the relevant service providers either by contacting them or online via websites.
What Are The Visiting Hours And Admission Fees For The Temple Of The Tooth?
The Temple of the Tooth is open daily for visitors from 5.30 AM- 8.00 PM. As for 01/01/2023, the entrance fee is Rs.1500 for visitors from SAARC countries and Rs.2000 for visitors from non-SAARC countries, while adult visitors from Thailand and Myanmar will have to pay a cost of Rs.1500 as the admission fee.
In addition, the entrance is totally free for kids, infants, and toddlers from any country. However, these charges can be subject to change over time, so you could have updated information if you visit the official website of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. The link to the website is posted below:
What Should I Wear When Visiting The Temple Of The Tooth In Kandy?
Since this temple is one of the most religious places in Sri Lanka, with immense importance to the Buddhists, the administration has imposed some strict rules on the attire for the visitors. Accordingly, wearing white or light-colored decent clothing that covers the legs and shoulders.
Short skirts, dresses, shorts, slit skirts/ dresses, sleeveless blouses, t-shirts, crop tops, tank tops, etc., are not allowed to wear. Moreover, footwear, caps, or hats are not permitted inside the temple.
But, if in case you happen to visit the Temple of the Tooth in such unacceptable attire, you could get scarves or sarongs to cover yourself from the vendors who sell them outside the temple premises. Or else, you are given them initially at the first checkpoint you encounter at the entrance.
Are There Any Guided Tours Available At The Temple Of The Tooth In Kandy?
You can either contact the hotel where you are staying to get a guided tour from a registered tour guide. Or else you also have the ability to find registered tour guides inside the temple premises at the ticketing booth. However, make sure to check the guide’s license (they should be wearing it on top of their shirt) and settle on a reasonable price.
Final Thoughts…
The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is easily accessible from any place within Sri lanka. You have the ability to use public or private transportation, such as taxi services, tuk-tuks, buses, trains, etc. Since the temple is open year-round, you could visit it any time of the year, from morning to evening, ensuring you are respectfully dressed while maintaining your best behavior.