Kandy – Let’s have a walk through the Sacred City of Hills
Kandy is a major city in Sri Lanka that has a great history with a lot of cultural and heritage values. It was the last capital of the Kandyan kingdom. As well as the last kingdom of the reigns of ancient kings in Sri Lanka. It is famous as the cultural capital of Sri Lanka. It holds the sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha and protects it in the Temple of Tooth Relic in Kandy.
The Temple of Tooth Relic is one of the most venerated and worshipped shrines of Buddhists. Among the most interesting things in Kandy, Esala Perahera is a famous cultural event that takes place once a year. Due to these great cultural and heritage values, it is among the world heritage sites of UNESCO.
The city of Kandy lies in the Central Province of Sri Lanka and is surrounded by the hills of the Kandy Plateau. Throughout history, it was an independent kingdom that the Portuguese and Dutch invasions couldn’t conquer. However, the British conquered it in 1815.
The Kandy city lies approximately 122 Km from Colombo, the commercial capital of Sri Lanka. In addition, approximately it will take 04 hours, by public transport from Colombo to reach Kandy. It is the main Cultural Centre of the country and is surrounded by fascinating mountain ranges and thick green forests. The city stands between the Knuckles mountain range and the Hanthana Mountain range. Hence, there are plenty of wonderful picturesque views along the way to Kandy.
Climate
The city of Kandy stands on, 518 m above sea level and has a climate of tropical rainforest. Usually, it has a higher level of rainfall throughout the year making it wetter and cooler than other areas of the country. The average annual temperature in Kandy is 24.5 °C | 76.0 °F. Further, the annual rainfall is about 2083 mm | 82.0 inches per year.
When to visit
There is no exact time to visit Kandy because there are many interesting things throughout this amazing City. But most of the visitors have a fond interest in traveling during the season of Kandy Esala Perahera season. Moreover, it is a colorful parade with musicians, dancers, drummers, and singers performing on the road in honor of the sacred tooth relic.
Due to the majority in the city being Sinhala Buddhists the celebrations of Vesak and other Buddhist festivals are more colorful and fascinating. It is already a wonderful time. If you are interested in hot weather activities, January to April is most likely to be dry and sunny. During the period of May to July and October to December, there will be monsoon rains.
What to explore
Kandy is the second-largest city in the country. Also, it acts as an entrance to the highlands of Sri Lanka. It has been the main transportation hub in the country since the past and during foreign invasions. Further, the city is amidst a mountain ring with thick forest lands. This served as a protective barrier to enter the central highlands and the upcountry. The city of Kandy is the heart of the Sri Lankan Culture. Moreover, it has to be a major Centre to store and preserve Sri Lankan music, arts, crafts, and various other traditional cultures throughout history.
Amazing places to visit around Kandy
The city of Kandy has great significance regarding the religious and cultural heritage of Sri Lanka. Around the city, there are plenty of interesting places with cultural and religious values to explore. Feel the fresh air, while walking through the roads surrounded by the lush green environments with scenic mountains. The following are the main attractions in the city of Kandy, Sri Lanka.
1. Temple of Tooth Relic
This holy shrine safeguards the most sacred tooth of a relic of Lord Buddha. The Temple of the Tooth Relic is the most venerated holy place in the country and the Buddhists around the world. Many of them are gathering at this shrine with utmost faith and devotion.
The temple was built using granite as the main material. Moreover, it has been decorated with other materials of limestone, marble, ivory sculpted wood and ivory, etc. The sacred tooth relic which is enshrined in the temple is a testimony and a symbol to represent the great Buddhist heritage that prevailed from the past to the present. Also, it is the guardian Centre of Buddhism for future generations.
2. Royal Palace
The Royal Palace of Kandy is one of the most important monuments in the country. Because it is the last Royal Palace of the last kingdom of Sri Lanka. Today only a part of the old palace complex remains and the Temple of the Tooth Relic was a part of this complex. As it was considered the ruler of the country (the monarch) is the protector of the sacred tooth relic.
Today the National Museum of Kandy stands on this complex. Moreover, the museum safeguards the historical artifacts of the Kandyan kingdom together with the great history of Sri Lanka.
3. Lankatilake Temple
The Lankatilake Temple is another historically important temple in Kandy. It belongs to the 14th Century and it is a creation of King Buwanekabahu the fourth. The temple is more significant among the other Buddhist monasteries due to its most attractive architectural and aesthetic values. Inside the temple, the ceiling consists of beautiful paintings.
The sculptures on the outer walls of the Temple and the Buddha image house with Moonstone at the entrance to the temple represent the advanced architectural knowledge that prevailed in the period of the Gampola Kingdom.
4. Gadaladeniya Temple
Gadaladeniya Temple stands approximately 3 Km from the ancient Buddhist temple of Lankatilake Vihara Temple. This was also built by King Buwanekabahu the Fourth. This was designed similarly to the South Indian architectural style. The inside of the temple consists of the main shrine room with one large seated Buddha statue and four standing Buddha images. The walls and pillars consist of colorful figures of elephants, dancers, and other figures. Indeed, it is an ideal place to explore for those who love arts and paintings.
5. Peradeniya Botanical Garden
The Royal Botanical Garden in Peradeniya is the largest botanical garden on the island. It is approximately 6 Km from the city of Kandy. Further, it is one of the most visited places on the island that extends to a land of 147 acres (59 ha), and has over 4000 species of plants. In the kingdom of the Kandyan era, the garden was reserved only for the Kandyan elites. Nowadays, plenty of local public and tourists around the world visit this amazing place. In fact, it is home to various species of beautiful flowers with various bird species. At present, its management is under the Department of Agriculture.
6. Udawattakele Forest Reserve
This forest reserve is a historic forest which was known as the “Uda Wasala Watta” in Sinhala. Its meaning is “The garden above the royal palace’. The forest was declared as a forest reserve in 1856 and a sanctuary in 1938. The forest consists of various species of plants, trees mammals, and reptiles. This place is also an important spot for nature lovers and for various nature researchers. It is also ideal for bird-watching activities and most of the Buddhist monk hermits are using this forest reserve for their meditation purposes.
Activities to enjoy
7. Kandy Esala Perahera
Esala Perahera is one of the most famous cultural events in Kandy which attracts visitors all around the world. It is a colorful parade of dancers, drummers, singers, and various other performers performing on the road with huge elephants holding the sacred tooth of the relic. This festival is held to honor and tribute to the faith and devotion of people toward the sacred tooth relic. It takes place once a year and in the months of July or August. Indeed the Esala Perahera makes the whole Kandy city into a colorful festival.
8. Kandy City Centre
This city center is a major commercial complex in the city of Kandy which was opened in 2005. The complex is in Dalada Veediya and is an ideal place for shopping. Also, it consists of various categories of goods like foods, clothes, ornamental things, and stationery items. Moreover, modern restaurants and many more features are under one roof.
Kandy Vacation Packages
Plan your dream vacation at the tear-drop-shaped island of the Indian Ocean as per your desires. Whatever your travel requirements, we are ready to offer you the best tour packages covering Kandy Sri Lanka. Choose your most desirable customized Kandy Tour Package from Sanki Leisure, to make your dream vacation a reality. Below are a few options to make your choice.
- Fortress In The Sky Tour Package
- Discover Sri Lanka Tour Package
- Sri Lanka Highlights Tour Package
- Best of Sri Lanka Tour Package
- Glamour of Sri Lanka Tour Package
- Kandy Day Tour
Ideal places to rest in Kandy
Experience the wonder of Asia the land like no other while resting at a salubrious shelter on your own desire.
Luxury: Feel the true luxury with the comfortable and intimate touch of the elite from the below options.
Grand Kandyan Hotel, Royal Kandyan Hotel, Earls Regent Hotel, Topaz Hotel Kandy
Medium: Experience the best resting accommodations by choosing the most suitable rates at your own desire from below.
Oak Ray Regency, Range Kandy, Hotel Devon, Idyllic Vista Hotel in Kandy
Budget: Choose the best budget accommodations that fit your pocket for reasonably affordable rates. Below are some of the suggestions.
Nelinsa Kandy, Kandy City Stay, Clock Inn Kandy
All you need to know about Kandy
Kandy is the cultural heart of the country. Because it consists of plenty of valuable historical and cultural monuments of the great history of Sri Lanka. Most of the arts, crafts, and dancing cultures are originated and enriched during the Kandyan era. It is the holy city that holds the sacred tooth of the relic of Lord Buddha at the Temple of Tooth Relic. Although the main ethnic group is Sinhala, there is a considerable amount of other ethnic groups. Such as Tamils, Muslims, Christians, and Moors are living.
The city of Kandy is full of natural beauty with scenic mountains and green environments. In addition to the temple complexes with cultural and historical values, there are also Hindu Kovils, Mosques, and Churches to explore. Various Traditional industries of Textiles, Jewelleries, Gems, Arts and crafts can be found here. Nature scenic spots like the Botanical Gardens, cultural festivals like Esala Perahera, and amazing arts and crafts in Kandy will provide you with an unforgettable memory of traveling in a wonderful paradise.
