Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha Displayed to Public in Sri Lanka After 16 Years

Colombo, April 18 – In a significant religious and cultural event, the sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha has been placed on public display in Sri Lanka for the first time in 16 years. As per agency report, the relic was unveiled on Friday at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in the central city of Kandy, allowing devotees to pay homage over a ten-day period until April 27.

According to an official statement from the office of Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, members of the public will be able to view the relic daily between 12 noon and 5 p.m. local time. The government has also made special arrangements for ambassadors from 17 countries, including India, to travel to Kandy by train to witness the ceremony.

Senior monk Mahavela Ratnapala of the Kandy Temple told reporters that thousands of Buddhist devotees are expected to visit the shrine during this sacred period. He noted that worshippers began lining up along the three main roads leading to the temple two days in advance.

The sacred tooth relic holds immense spiritual, historical, and cultural importance for Sri Lanka's Sinhalese Buddhist majority, who make up approximately 74 percent of the island nation's population. Historical records indicate that the relic was brought to Kandy in 1590, where it has since remained a revered symbol of faith and heritage.