About Kandy and Sightseeing -
Kandy – The Cultural Capital of Sri Lanka
Kandy is one of Sri Lanka’s most important and historical cities. Nestled in the central highlands, it is known for its cool climate, lush landscapes, and deep cultural heritage. The city served as the last royal capital of Sri Lanka before falling to the British in 1815. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, celebrated for preserving Sri Lankan culture, traditions, and religious significance.
Historical Significance
Kandy was the stronghold of the Sinhala kings for over 200 years.
- It remained independent long after the coastal areas of Sri Lanka were colonized by the Portuguese, Dutch, and British.
The Kingdom of Kandy maintained Sri Lankan sovereignty and Buddhist traditions during the colonial era.
It was the final kingdom to fall to British rule, marking the end of Sri Lanka’s monarchy.
Cultural Importance
- Kandy is the spiritual center of Sri Lanka’s Buddhist majority.
The city is home to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, where a relic of the Buddha’s tooth is enshrined.
- The annual Esala Perahera is one of the grandest Buddhist festivals in Asia, attracting pilgrims and tourists alike. The procession involves traditional dancers, drummers, and richly adorned elephants
Scenic Beauty
Surrounded by rolling hills, misty mountains, and tea plantations, Kandy is a gateway to Sri Lanka’s central highlands.
The Mahaweli River, Sri Lanka’s longest river, flows near the city, adding to its natural beauty.
Kandy’s lakes, gardens, and nearby forests provide a peaceful contrast to its bustling city life.
Architectural Highlights
Kandy’s architecture blends traditional Sinhalese designs with colonial influences.
The city’s Royal Palace Complex is a remnant of its regal past, with the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic being the centerpiece.
Many historical temples, such as Lankatilaka and Gadaladeniya, showcase the artistry of ancient Sri Lankan builders.
Economic Role
Kandy is a major hub for tea production. The surrounding hill country is known for producing some of the world’s finest tea.
The Ceylon Tea Museum in Kandy provides insights into the history of Sri Lankan tea and its global importance.
Handicrafts, gem trading, and traditional Sri Lankan textiles are also important to Kandy’s economy.
Accessibility
Kandy is easily accessible by train and road from Colombo, with a scenic rail journey that winds through the central highlands.
It serves as a base for exploring other parts of the hill country, such as Nuwara Eliya, Ella, and Horton Plains.
Kandy Esala Perahera
From the beautiful Buddhist festivals celebrated across the island, the Kandy Esala Perahera stands as one of the most magnificent and significant festivals among them. It happens every year in July or August in honor of the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha within the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy. Perahera, a procession, is an amazing display of traditional Kandyan dancers, drummers, and fire-dancers, along with ornately costumed elephants. The crowning event of the festival is a certain procession with the relic casket, or the symbol of the sacred tooth, performed upon the back of the lead elephant.
It is a 10-day festival where each night’s procession is larger and more elaborate than the last. This will be both a cultural and spiritual experience for locals and tourists alike. The Esala Perahera exemplifies deep reverence for Buddhism and rich cultural heritage on this island.
Kandy remains an essential destination for anyone wanting to understand Sri Lanka’s cultural and historical roots. Its religious significance, colonial history, and natural beauty make it a unique city.
About Kandy and Sightseeing -
The main attractions in Kandy are :
1. Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa)
The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is the most venerated Buddhist site in Sri Lanka. Situated within the complex of the royal palace, enshrining a tooth relic of Buddha, it thereby became one of the major sites of pilgrimage. Beautiful Kandyan architecture is well-represented by this temple with its wood carvings, golden roofs, and ivory decorations. Visitors take in the spiritual atmosphere in the daily rituals of the place and exploration of the surroundings of the temple. It also hosts the annual Esala Perahera, a grand festival that parades the sacred relic through the streets of Kandy.
2. Kandy Lake
Artificial and tranquil, the Kandy Lake, also known as Kiri Muhuda or the Sea of Milk, lies at the heart of the city. Built in 1807 by King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe, this tranquil lake adds serenity to the bustling streets surrounding the city. A quiet walkway surrounds the perimeter of the lake with picturesque views across to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and Pidurutalagala, the adjacent hill. It is a great place for walking or even just to sit by the water and enjoy the calm in the midst of the city.
3. Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens
The Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens, situated about 5 km from Kandy, have the distinction of possessing one of the finest collections of flora anywhere in the world and an orchid house renowned internationally. Sprawling over 147 acres, it was originally developed by the Kandyan Royalty and later further developed during the British period. Visitors can easily walk along the well-maintained paths to see gigantic bamboo groves and then proceed to the famous avenue of royal palms. For the garden enthusiasts, this place would be heaven as it offers gardens as a retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city.
4. Kandy Viewpoint
The Kandy Viewpoint is situated on a hillock overlooking the town and its panoramic view ranks amongst the best in Kandy and outside of it. It’s from here that one gets an excellent view of Lake Kandy, the Temple of the Tooth Relic, and most importantly those lushly green hills circling the city. It is one of the favorite tourist stops and is particularly dramatic in its view over the city at the times of both sunrise and sunset, when all is painted in shades of gold. It is easily accessible by road, with many visiting for photography or to take in the stunning landscape that defines Kandy.
5. Kandy Cultural Dance Show
Kandy Cultural Dance Show is a colorful display of the traditional dancing and music of Sri Lanka. Various theatres within Kandy serve as a venue for the dance show: actors dressed up in multi-colored costumes perform through traditional dances passed down from generation to generation. The Kandyan dances, fire dancing, and traditional drumming comprise the performances that have different meanings and tell different stories about Sri Lankan culture and history. This will usually be followed by the most crucial act: fire walking, where the drummers will walk on burning coals with bare feet. In general, the Kandy Cultural Dance Show is an entertaining event that one could enjoy as a peep through the windows of a diverse and rich cultural heritage of the country.
6. Bahirawakanda Vihara Buddha Statue
Perched atop a hill that overlooks Kandy, Bahiravokanda Vihara Buddha Statue is one of the striking landmarks within the city. Being a gigantic, pure-white figure of Buddha, it is brightly visible from most parts of the city, while panoramic views from atop this hill are simply breathtaking. Visitors can reach by foot up the steps leading to the base of the statue, greeting them with a sweeping view of Kandy and its surrounding mountains.
7. Udawattakele Forest Reserve
The Udawattakele Forest Reserve lies over the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and has been a historical sanctuary used by the Kandyan kings. It is rich in flora and fauna, including frequent bird species, and is a good sight for bird watchers. The dense trees and quiet paths create a soothing atmosphere for hiking and nature walks. It’s a haven of escape into nature near the city, providing one with insight into the natural ecosystem of the area.
8. Ceylon Tea Museum
A short drive from Kandy, the Ceylon Tea Museum is set up in an old tea factory at Hantane. The tea museum speaks to nothing other than a history of tea production in Sri Lanka, because of the British’s introduction during the 19th century to becoming a commodity throughout the world. Exhibits include old machinery, photographs, and documents outlining the evolution of the tea industry. The Tea Tasting Room allows guests to sample some of Sri Lanka’s best teas with 360-degree views of the surrounding tea plantations.
9. Kandy Garrison Cemetery
It is a colonial-era cemetery situated near the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, reminding one of Kandy’s colonial past. Established in 1817, it is the place of burial for the British nationals who lived and worked in 19th-century Sri Lanka. The gravestones narrate the story of the lives of many soldiers, civil servants, and their families, bringing into life the annals of the British Empire in Ceylon. The grounds are beautifully maintained, and the cemetery is a quiet and contemplative place for visitors.
10. Lankatilaka Vihara
Lankatilaka Vihara is an absolutely impressive 14th-century Buddhist temple situated on a rock outcrop about 12 km from Kandy. The temple is an architectural marvel, with the integration of the Sinhalese and Dravidian styles. The exterior part of the temple has been whitewashed and contains huge stone walls. At the interior, the temple contains ancient frescoes and Buddha statues. This temple offers beautiful views of the countryside surrounding it and is really a very great place for people who are quite interested in history and architecture.
11. Gadaladeniya Temple
Gadaladeniya Temple, another magnificent example of ancient Sri Lankan architecture, was built in the year 1344. The temple is influenced by South Indian design; it has stone carvings and statues. Perched on a small hill, it offers great views of the countryside below. On the interior, it has murals painted on every inch of the wall, while a huge seated Buddha statue rests inside the temple. Gadaladeniya is often less crowded than other temples, offering a peaceful and reflective experience.
12. International Buddhist Museum
Housed next to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy, the International Buddhist Museum is one of a kind museum in the world. It reflects the spread of Buddhism throughout the world and the many ways different cultures interpret this religion. The museum contains separate sections on various Buddhist nations, namely Sri Lanka, India, China, Japan, Thailand, among others. Each room represents historical artifacts, models, and photographs representing unique traditions and the contribution each country has made towards Buddhism. Being an intimate look at the spread of Buddhism through most of Asia and beyond, the museum is a much-needed cultural and educational stopover in Kandy.
13. Embekka Devalaya
The Embekka Devalaya is a small but significant temple, considering the ornate wood carvings it houses. About 13 kms from Kandy, it was built during the Gampola Kingdom and is dedicated to the god known as Kataragama. The temple is known for the wood carvings on all supporting pillars, each carrying different scenes of mythology, floral designs, and animals. Embekka may stand as one of the finest examples of craftsmanship ever seen in the annals of Sri Lankan history and therefore could be included among the places that one should visit if they are interested in traditional art and architecture.
14. Commonwealth War Cemetery
The Kandy Commonwealth War Cemetery is a memorial to the soldiers of the British Commonwealth who died during World War II. Lying in a quiet corner on the outskirts of the city, the cemetery buries more than 190 soldiers from various nations of the Commonwealth such as the UK, Canada, Australia, and India. The gravestones are well set out in rows, each showing the names, ranks, and units of the dead. The cemetery is well kept and provides an ideal environment for private moments of thought and reflection. It serves as a reminder of the far-reaching effect of the war and of the sacrifices made by soldiers serving in Sri Lanka during the time.
