Temple of the Tooth Dress Code: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go

The Sri Dalada Maligawa — the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy — is one of the most sacred Buddhist sites in the world. The Temple of the Tooth dress code is enforced at the gate, not treated as a suggestion. Get it wrong and you'll be turned back, or you'll pay for a sarong outside. This guide is the traveller-friendly rundown.

The rules, in plain language

• Shoulders covered. No vests, tank tops, spaghetti straps, or sheer fabrics.
• Knees covered. Long trousers, long skirts, or a sarong tied over shorts. Ankles don't need to be covered.
• Shoes off before entering the temple complex. Shoe racks are at the entrance for a small fee.
• Hats and caps off inside the temple buildings.
• White is preferred but not required. Locals wear white on poya (full-moon) days.
• No leather visible — belts and bags in leather are usually fine, but leather clothing is not.

What to wear if you didn't plan

Sarongs are sold at every entrance for LKR 300–500 (about USD 1) and can be tied over shorts or skirts. Scarves and shawls are useful for shoulders. A cheap long-sleeve linen shirt in your day bag solves the whole problem — it doubles for other temples (Dambulla, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa).

Photography rules

• Photos are allowed in most of the complex.
• Never pose with your back to a Buddha statue — it's considered highly disrespectful.
• Don't point the soles of your feet at any Buddha image.
• Flash is banned inside the inner shrine.
• Video is restricted during the puja ceremonies.

Behaviour to know

• Voices low. It's an active place of worship, not a museum.
• Walk clockwise around any stupa or Bodhi tree.
• Don't touch monks; don't touch the Bo tree offerings.
• Women shouldn't hand things directly to monks — place items on a surface.

When to visit

Three daily pujas: 5:30am, 9:30am, and 6:30pm. The evening puja is the experience — drumming, white-clad pilgrims, and the opening of the inner shrine where the tooth relic is kept. Arrive 30 minutes early to find a spot.

Ticket office closes 45 minutes before the last puja. Foreigners pay LKR 2,000 (bring cash).

Getting there

The temple is on the north side of Kandy Lake, a 5-minute walk from most Kandy hotels. Tuk-tuks from anywhere in central Kandy are LKR 200–400. For a full day of Kandy with a guide who'll explain the puja, Serendipity's tour packages include the temple in most Kandy days.

Pair the temple with…

• Kandy Lake walk (30–45 min).
• Peradeniya Royal Botanic Gardens (20 min out of town).
• Kandyan dance show (7pm daily, just up the road).
• The Kandy to Nuwara Eliya train the next morning.

Undecided whether to base yourself in Kandy or Sigiriya? Read our Kandy vs Sigiriya comparison. For the broader December route, see where to go in Sri Lanka in December. More on the blog.

Planning a private guided tour of Kandy? Get in touch with Serendipity — they'll arrange the temple visit with a licensed guide who can explain the puja in real time.