Sacred Tooth Relic back in Kandy

An early painting of the Dalada Maligawa by Friedrich Wilhelm Waldemar, Prince of Prussia

When British troops entered Kandy in January 1815 in a bid to capture the Kandyan kingdom, King Sri Vickrema Rajasinghe instructed the chieftains to remove the sacred Tooth Relic to a safe place and he himself fled to Medamahanuwara.

Imbulmalgedara Siharala undertook to protect the Tooth Relic and continue the traditional customs and with the Maha Sangha led by Venerable Rambukwelle Ratanajothi Thera took the relic casket to Bambaragala Vihara.

The British themselves were hunting for the Tooth Relic since it was the symbol of kingship and it was generally accepted that whoever had the custody of the Relic was deemed the king. Therefore it was felt that the Relic should not be kept in one place and was moved from one temple to another. Wherever the Relic was shifted they continued to pay respects to the Relic by observing all the customs that were done at the Sri Dalada Maligawa. Fearing that the place would be found, there was an instance when the Relic was hidden in the jungles.

King Sri Vickrema Rajasinghe was captured by the British on February 18, 1815 and the British confirmed their takeover of the Kandyan kingdom by the Kandyan Convention signed on March 2. By mid-April 1815, the Tooth Relic was at Hindagala Vihara close to Peradeniya having being shifted there from Atabage Vihara.

On April 23, Kapuwatte Diyawadana Nilame, the lay custodian of the Relic met John Doyly, who was British administrator in Kandy and discussed arrangements to bring back the Tooth Relic to Kandy. An elaborate procession was arranged to respectfully bring the Relic to the Dalada Maligawa from Hindagala temple on the following day.

Perahera revived

Perahera in the early days

It has been reported that Doyly along with another Englishman called Wright had walked up to the entrance to the city and met the Maha Nayaka Thera of the Malwatta Vihara and the chieftains prior to the procession being started.

An English reporter described the procession thus: "The Maha Nayaka Thera walked assisted by two younger monks. They were followed by 150 monks. A gaily decorated elephant carried a Buddha statue placed in a 'ransivige.’ Flag bearers numbering sixty carried colourful flags. A troupe of drummers and female dancers was followed by whip crackers and chieftains led by Molligoda Maha Adikaram. Along with the drummers was the band of the Third Regiment.

The caparisoned elephant carrying the Relic casket placed in a 'ransivige' was flanked by four others. The tusks of the elephant carrying the casket were capped with gold covers. Riding the four other elephants were attendants carrying golden umbrellas and fanning the Relic. More whip crackers and chieftains were followed by the Diyawadana Nilame, key Kandyan chieftains, Doyly and Wright. Hundreds of laymen marched next, with six elephants carrying Buddha statues. Tens of thousands of people lined the route. Ehelepola Dissawe who found it difficult to walk, was on horseback with hundreds of supporters walking behind. The procession was about a mile long. It was well organized and dignified.

The Perahera reached the Dalada Maligawa around four in the afternoon and until the auspicious time arrived, the procession kept circling the Maligawa square. As the Relic was being taken in, a gun salute greeted the historic occasion.

As the Maha Sangha and the Kandyan chiefs placed the Relic in the big casket, those around pulled out their jewellery and other valuables and offered them to the Tooth Relic. Watching this Doyly walked out and returned with a beautiful musical clock on behalf of the Governor and presented it to the Maligawa. Everyone including Doyly walked into the Dalada Maligawa after removing their shoes."

The entire city was decked with 'gokkola' and numerous other decorations giving it a carnival atmosphere. The Maligawa square was well lit throughout the night and Kandyan dances continued without a break in the 'maha maluwa.’

The sacred Tooth Relic thus was back in the Dalada Maligawa under the protection of the British administration.