When King Wimaladharmasuriya I (1592-1604 A.D.) became King in Kandy, he searched for the Tooth Relic and the bowl Relic of the Buddha and found that it was kept at the Delgomuwa

Buddhist Temple at Kuruwita, for more than 44 years, hidden in a grinding stone.
The King had gone there personally and brought the Sacred Tooth Relic to Kandy in a procession accompanied by the King.

The first Temple of the Tooth Relic was constructed by Wimaladharmasooriya I to house it next to the Royal Palace.

The Portuguese burned down the 2-floored building and King Wimaladharma sooriya II (1687-1707) erected a 3-storied building to house the Sacred Tooth Relic.

It was burnt down once again and a new 2-storied building was constructed by King Narendra singhe (1707-1739 A.D.) and what we see today may be the building constructed by him.

He also painted 32 Jataka Stories on the outer walls of the building.

In addition to the 3 daily “poojas” 4 annual festivals are held at the Temple of the Tooth Relic.

-Alut Sahal mangallaya – (New Rice Festival) held in January each year.
-Ayurudu Mangallaya – (Sinhala / Hindu) New Year festival held in April.
-Esala Mangallaya – the famous Kandy Perahera held in July / August each year for 10 Days.
-Kartika Mangallaya – Held in November in honour of God Vishnu.

The last King of Kandy Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe added the Pattirippuwa or the Octagon and it was not a part of the Temple, but a resting place for the King.
Later it was handed over to the Temple.