Kandy
The island’s last reigning kingdom – Kandy is a beautiful mixture of colonial charm and local culture. Visit the Dalada Maligawa or the Temple of the Tooth – which houses the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha. After you marvel at the architecture and the vibrant Kandyan era paintings adoring the temple’s walls, walk around the Kandy Lake taking the beautiful scenery of misty mountains in the distance.
During the month of August, the country’s most spectacular procession takes place in Kandy where thousands of believers and tourists gather to witness the sacred tooth relic being carried in a perade with fire dancers and traditional dancers colouring the street
Top Attractions around Kandy
Temple of the Tooth
Dalada Maligawa or the Temple of the Tooth – which houses the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha. The temple complex consists of several buildings, including the main shrine, a museum, a library, and several smaller temples and shrines. It is also the site of several annual festivals and processions, including the Kandy Esala Perahera, which is one of the most spectacular religious festivals in Sri Lanka.
Kandy Lake
Kandy Lake, also known as Kiri Muhuda or the Sea of Milk, is an artificial lake which was created by King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe, the last ruler of the Kingdom of Kandy. The lake is an important landmark in Kandy and is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike. Visitors can take a leisurely walk around the lake and enjoy the scenic views, or rent a paddle boat and explore the calm waters.
Udawatte Kele Sanctuary
Udawatta Sanctuary, a.k.a Royal Forest is a vital bio reserve, which extends about 257 acres and at a distance of 1.5km from the temple of Tooth Relic. Today, the Udawatte Kele Sanctuary is open to the public, and visitors can explore the forest trails and enjoy the natural beauty of the area. There are also several viewpoints where visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the city of Kandy.
Royal Botanical Gardens
Royal Garden is one of the oldest formal gardens in Sri Lanka. It has more than 4000 different varieties of plants, including palm trees, spices, medicinal plants, and orchids. The garden was first established in the 14th century as a pleasure garden for the kings of Kandy. Some of the notable features of the garden include the giant Javan fig tree, the orchid house, and the spice garden.
GALLERY
