Who carries the Casket of the Sacred Tooth Relic?

The sacred casket is carried by the Chief Maligawa Tusker, an elite, majestic elephant picked out for physical perfection, a calm temperament and those imposing tusks, of course.

Please remember the real Sacred Tooth Relic stays securely vaulted inside the temple, so the Tusker is carrying a profoundly venerated replica casket instead. As a sign of supreme respect, the Tusker walks only on a continuous carpet of white linen, the kind temple officials roll out along the street, so its feet do not ever meet the bare pavement.