Raja Museum

About Raja Museum

Raja Museum in Kandy is dedicated to Raja, the celebrated temple elephant who carried the Sacred Tooth Relic in the city's famous Esala Perahera procession for many decades. The museum occupies a modest space near the Temple of the Tooth complex, displaying the preserved remains of the elephant alongside ceremonial regalia, photographs and artefacts associated with his long service. Visitors come to learn about the cultural and religious significance of elephants within Kandyan tradition and to pay their respects to an animal held in considerable public affection. The exhibits offer a quieter, more intimate complement to the grandeur of the temple itself, providing useful context for those seeking to understand the deeper role that working elephants play in Sri Lankan Buddhist ceremony and heritage.

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