Kandy is a large city in central Sri Lanka. It’s set on a plateau surrounded by mountains, which are home to tea plantations and biodiverse rainforest.
Located at an altitude of 465 meters above sea level, Kandy is a large city in Central Sri Lanka brimming with historic traditions and customs. Set on a plateau surrounded by mountains, which are home to tea plantations and biodiverse rainforests it is a must visit city in Sri Lanka. The surrounding region produces most of Sri Lanka’s tea, as well as rice and other crops. Kandy was the last bastion of the Sinhala Kingdom before it was ceded to the British rule.
In the city’s heart is the scenic man-made Bogambara Lake which is popular for strolling. Kandy is famed for sacred Buddhist sites, including the Temple of the Tooth (the Buddha’s tooth relic preserved since 1590) which is the most scared to Buddhists all over the world and is declared a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The Esala Perahera, considered the largest Buddhist pageant in the world is an annual 10-day torchlight parade held in the months of July/August consisting over 1000 dancers and drummers, dignitaries, and ornately caparisoned elephants which parade the scared tooth relic enshrined in a golden casket on the streets of Kandy to allow devotees to pay homage to the tooth relic of the Buddha.
Located adjacent to the south of the Royal Palace it is a world-renowned place of worship, where the left Canine tooth of Gautama Buddha which was brought from the city of Kalinga in India is enshrined. The temple is venerated by thousands of local and foreign devotees and tourists daily who take part in the daily worship conducted in the inner chambers. Of the temple.
Historically held by the Sinhala Kings, the relic played an important role in local politics as it is believed that whoever held the relic had the privilege to the governance of the country.
The temple and the relic which is a UNESCO world heritage site also has immense cultural value with the architecture comprising unique Kandyan style and adorned with intricate carvings using gold, silver, bronze, and ivory.
Situated approximately 6 kilometers from Kandy and considered the largest garden of Sri Lanka the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens is a spacious 147-acre natural extravaganza. Consisting of more than 4000 species of plants, 10,000 varied kinds of trees and a versatile collection of flora some of which are quite rare and unique the gardens are a feast to behold especially for those interested in nature.
The Peradeniya Botanical Garden is a prime tourist attraction and has a host of tourists visiting the gardens daily
Situated on the hillside behind the Temple of the Tooth (a 15 – 20-minute walk from the temple), the Udawatta Kele or the Royal Forest Park of Kandy was declared a sanctuary in 1938. The reserve consists of almost 257 acres of land and contains three Buddhist forest monasteries, and three cave dwellings for Buddhist monks and is ideal place for a quick and scenic trek.
Considered a vital Bio reserve the park had been a Rain Forest which supports a variety of mammal species, including some endemic and threatened species. Some of the mammals that can be found are Toque Macaque, the Purple-faced Langur endemic primate species with a unique purple face and long tail. Indian Flying Fox a large fruit bat species that can be seen flying at dusk. Indian Palm Squirrel, a small, agile squirrel species commonly found in the forest. Small Indian Civet is a nocturnal carnivorous mammal that inhabits the forest. The forest is also home to a diverse range of tree species, including both native and introduced varieties which also consist of a variety of orchids which adds colour and beauty to the reserve.
Kandy Lake is an artificial lake that was built by the last king of Kandy Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe in the year 1810. Also known as the Kiri Muhuda (or the “Sea of Milk”),it can be found in the heart of the Kandy city adjacent to the sacred Temple of the Tooth.
The walking path around the lake covers a distance of 2.7 Kilometers with large trees providing ample shade and view of the surrounding mountains. It is a popular walking path for visitors, as they could witness many species of birds, fish, turtles and Asian water monitors. There are also opportunities for a boat ride which is scenic and brings the visitor close to nature.
According to legend the manmade island at the center of the lake was used by the king’s harem and was connected to the royal palace via a secret passageway. The pavilion at this center was also said to have been used by the Royal retinue as a place of relaxation.
The Queens Bathing Pavilion is partially immersed in the waters of the lake. The king’s wives and concubines are said to have used the pavilion when bathing in the lake, but it was eventually converted into a library building by the British.
The Ceylon Tea Museum located in the former Hantane Tea Factory constructed in 1925, is approximately three kilometers from Kandy city and is served by a motorable road with easy access and adequate parking facilities.
Hantana was one of the early localities identified for tea cultivation. The Tea factory was refurbished and the Tea Museum was established in 2001
The museum consists of four floors. The ground floor houses 19th century colonial generators, rollers, dryers, fermentation tables, sorting machines, and the second floor exhibits vintage tea processing paraphernalia and exhibits of tea pioneers James Taylo and Thomas Lipton. The first floor consists of a library and an auditorium with facilities for audio visual presentations. The third floor is allocated to tea sales outlets, where a selection of Sri Lanka’s fine tea is available. The entire top floor is a tea cafe.
A panoramic view of Kandy town surrounded by the beautiful Hunasgiriya, Knuckles Range and the Matale range of hills can be viewed from the top floor. This museum certainly enhances the attraction of visitors to Kandy. Additionally, its proximity to the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens and Loolecondera estate, where tea was first grown commercially in Sri Lanka makes Hantane the perfect location.
This stunning waterfall considered the most beautiful in Sri Lanka is located in Huluganga Town in the Knuckles Mountain Range and is approximately 30 kms from Kandy town. Rising to a height of around 75 meters, the surging falls can be viewed from the bridge in the town or ideally from the bottom part of the fall to appreciate its actual beauty. The water of the river which continues down to the Victoria Reservoir the tallest dam of Sri Lanka is known to stay clear of mud even during the monsoon periods.
The water fall is not suitable for bathing and water sports and can be reached by car, bus or Tuk tuk. . One other beautiful waterfall which is around 5 kilometers away from the Huluganga Water Fall is the “Thaliya Watuna Ella. The Knuckles Mountain range also has three more waterfalls and area for hiking.
The Knuckles Mountain Range (or the Dumbara Kandu watiya as referred to by the locals as it is often covered by mist) is located in the Central Province of Sri Lanka in the Districts of Matale and Kandy. The range consists of five high mountain peaks consisting of a series of recumbent folds and peaks which resembles a clenched fist, when viewed from certain angles. As such the British surveyors in Ceylon named the mountain range Knuckles in view of ishape.
In addition to its breathtaking scenery and aesthetic beauty the isolated Knuckles range is home to several endemic flora and fauna that are distinct from the usual assortment. It is interesting to note that over 34 percent of Sri Lanka’s endemic trees, shrubs, and herbs are only found in these forests.
This unspoiled and scenic mountain range is a UNESCO heritage site which attracts several hikers. Hiking paths wind through the thick forest, which is ringed by several mountains, between 900 and 2,000 meters in height. The flowing waterfalls, charming mountain communities, terraced rice fields, and an array of wild animals such as Wild Buffalo, Wild Boar, Black-naped Hare, Jackal, the endemic Toque Macaque & Purple-faced Leaf Monkey are common. Fishing Cats and Mouse Deer have also been spotted which adds to the adventure.
Trekking the Mountain range could be an unforgettable experience and a trekking paradise. The hikes could range from a day tour to an overnight or three day tour Several camping and Glamping options are available to those keen on staying overnight with seasoned guides who are knowledgeable on the area to accompany the hikers.
The thick fog, unpredictable weather and the large leech population could be a challenge.
Seasoned guides are available to assist to traverse waterfalls, dense forests and safe terrain . Some nature trails which can be organized include the Mini World’s End, Pitawala Pathana trail, Dotalugala Nature trail ,Ash cave trail, Nitro cave trail and the Knuckles Summit trail.
The Cultural dance show held at the Kandy Lake Club is a must visit for all travelling to Kandy. Commenced in 1982 the event showcases around 12 different rich, diverse and captivating cultural dance forms of Sri Lanka under one platform complete with a drum orchestra beating different type of vibrant rhythms. The dance forms depict the graceful movements of birds and animals, as well as energetic acrobatic performances where the men perform a series of leaping pirouettes and stunts such as plate-spinning.
The highlight is the fire walking show, where the artists walk through a specially prepared fire pit, covered with red-hot charcoal, completely barefoot and emerge unharmed at the other end!
The show is performed daily at 5.30 pm and concludes by 6.00 pm.
The other places of interest in Kandy include, the National Museum, Commonwealth War Cemetery, Bahirawakanda Temple, Batik Factory, Madury Oya National Park, Kandy View point
Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka
Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka
Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka
Kandy, Sri Lanka
Optimized by Seraphinite Accelerator
