Contents
1. The Temple of Sacred Tooth Relic
One place anyone who visits Kandy or lives in Kandy never misses to visit is “Sri Dalada Maligawa” also known as TheTemple of Sacred Tooth Relic. From faraway anyone can recognize the large unique architectural white buildings in the centre of the city and specially the glamorous golden roof of the temple hardly goes unnoticed. Maligawa is the place where Lord Gautama Buddha’s Left Canine Tooth is enshrined. To Buddhists this feels equals to the existence of lord Buddha and therefore explains why this is a place one must definitely visit in their life. Do try to visit during ritual times to maximise the experience!
2. Peradeniya Botanical Gardens
Beauty. Nature. Happiness. Space.
Peradeniya Botanical Gardens is one of the most beautiful gardens in Sri Lanka. In Kandy it is the place where beauty is everywhere because of the flowers, shrubs, trees, pond and large ground. Everything is so well maintained, cared for and keptin fashion making the nature around us utterly desirable. You will love walking between the lines of palm trees, paths with tall bamboo trees hovering and then paths that are canopied by the large trees on either side.
‘Happiness means freedom’, the greenery which relaxes your mind will help you realise the happiness of being light headed for a moment. Forget your troubles and enjoy the scenic beauty that is before your eyes. Some of the old trees in the garden hold historic value, so if interested ask from the guides.
The Botanical Garden is the space to go on a picnic with your loved ones. Take photographs until satisfies because it provides the perfect backdrop!.
3. Kandy Lake Round Walk
A walk by a lake which is the backdrop to many beautiful photographs taken in the Kandy city relaxes the busy mind of any man. Kandy lake was built by King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe in 1807, the last king of the Kandyan Kingdom.
A walk around this lake around 6 in the morning will help you to begin the day fresh. Despite the busy roads the lakeround is quite enjoyable with the fresh morning breeze, as the sun rises above one can see the mist disappearing from above the lake. Kandy city’s bustling weather dies down slowly after 6 in the evening. Walking around the lake and streets in a lighted city will definitely be worthwhile.
4. Udawatta Kele Sanctuary
Nature lovers will surely love Udawatta Kele because of the dense forest area. This beautiful forest spreads across 257 acres on the hillside behind The Temple of Sacred Tooth Relic. The canopy of trees covers the area and dulls the strong sun rays of the day, so travellers can walk around in the cool shade.
Definitely walk up to the Water Pond, The Senkanda Cave, “Kodimale” highest peak and the Garrison Cemetery.
5. Bahirawa Kanda Temple
From anywhere in the town if you look around, at one point of a hill you will see a massive white Buddha statue and that is the famous Bahirawa Kanda Buddha statue. The temple itself is located on one of the tall hills, namely Bahirawa Kanda.
Bahirawakanda offers the magnificent top view of the city with a strong breeze. The temple itself is beautiful. Journey up the hill is not so difficult, but a small hike.
6. Lankathilaka Viharaya
Lankathilaka Viharaya is one the temples in outskirts of Kandy that holds great significance to buddhists. It is a 14th century, Gampola era temple built by the King Bhuvanekabahu IV. The temple is known for the beautiful wood carvings and great architecture of the time. While travelling to Lankathilaka Viharaya don’t forget to admire the beauty of the surrounding village area.
7. Ceylon Gusto
Kandy is a tourists’ attraction for cultural reasons and for the comfortable nature for children. The hills and the hospitality of the people surely wins the heart of their guests, however it is not easy to find a place if someone wishes to try learning at least how to make one local cuisine because not many places offer the cooking classes.
So here is a place for you, Ceylon Gusto is a space in Katugastota where you can have one on one learning experience as to how these delicious Sri Lankan cuisines that you try are prepared.
8. Seasonal religious festivities
As Sri Lanka is home to a diverse culture it is obvious how there are different cultural festivities being held in the country. As such in Kandy city, one of the major historical cities attracts tourists around the globe and travellers around the island especially for the following two celebrations.
Kandy Esala Perahera
Esala is the lunar month, namely July – August. It is also known as the Festival of The Tooth. Perahera holds a great significance to Buddhists as well as to all Sri Lankans because this is a cultural festivity that boasts the history of the nation. The length of the event is 10 days and the procession takes from evening to midnight through the streets of the city. People, divinity and elephants altogether pay homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha. The combination of rituals of ‘sathara devala’ brings out the harmony within the Perahera. Undoubtedly this is one of the most magnificent and colourful traditional processions in the country.
Vesak Festival
Vesak is on the full moon poya day of the month of May, which celebrates the birth(buddha jayanthi), enlightenment(Buddha nirvana) and death(Buddha parinirvana) of Lord Buudha. Many South Asian Budddhists celebrate this event. During the Vesak festival walking through the streets of Kandy is truly delightful because each and every house hangs out their vesak lanterns, some decorated huge lanterns would be displayed around the lake, dansal, decorated ‘vesak thoran’ telling stories of Lord Buddha and the harmonious nature of people.
