DeceasedTemple Custodianc. 1913 – July 1988 (Aged approx. 75)

Maligawa Raja (The Paramount Casket Bearer)

මාලිගාවේ රාජා
Maligawa Raja (The Paramount Casket Bearer)
Maligawa Raja enshrined and honored at the dedicated museum in the Temple of the ToothCredit: Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA 3.0 (Photo: Rehman) (Creative Commons CC-BY-SA 3.0)

Archival Field Dossier

Roaming TerritorySri Dalada Maligawa, Kandy
Habitat SanctuarySri Dalada Maligawa, Kandy
Geographic Coordinates7.2936 N, 80.6413 E
Physical Anatomy & TusksTwo long curving tusks that touched the ground, perfect seven-point posture, exceptional dignity during religious processions
Fate and Cause of DeathNatural passing due to advanced old age in July 1988. Mourned across Sri Lanka with a national day of mourning.

Significance and Cultural Legacy

The most celebrated temple tusker in modern history. Carried the Sacred Casket of the Tooth Relic at the Kandy Esala Perahera for 37 consecutive years with unmatched majesty and grace. Declared a National Treasure in 1986 by Presidential decree. His preserved remains are enshrined in a dedicated museum within the Dalada Maligawa.

"Sri Lankan tuskers represent an ancient biological and cultural heritage. Only a rare percentage of Sri Lankan Asian elephant bulls develop majestic ivory tusks, making each individual a living national treasure."
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