Kandy

The second largest city in Sri Lanka is often referred to as the cultural capital of the island. Between the 1997th and XNUMXth centuries, it was the country's de facto capital. Kandy is situated in an incredibly picturesque location - on the shores of a lake and surrounded by mountains, which we could admire on the silver screen in XNUMX, when the adaptation of "The Jungle Book" directed by Dee McLachlan debuted in cinemas. It is also one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Buddhists, because it is home to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, built in the XNUMXth century, which houses a tooth said to belong to Buddha himself. Being a place less touristy than the capital, resorts on the coast or impressive national parks, it is a perfect representation of the daily life of the local population and at the same time a quiet corner where you can catch a moment of respite before continuing to explore Sri Lanka - and all this in the surroundings of breathtaking nature.

Sightseeing in Kandy – what is worth seeing?

The first (and possibly only) association that comes to mind for travelers to Kandy is probably the famous Temple of the Tooth, but reducing the entire city to this one attraction is extremely unfair to it. There are also the impressive Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya, a must-see on any trip to Sri Lanka, the National Museum and several noteworthy temples, including Bahirawakanda, known for the nearly 27-meter Buddha statue that dominates the city. However, Kandy has another “attraction” that is often overlooked by visitors – charming, colorful streets lined with graceful, colonial buildings. It is worth spending an afternoon walking around the center and visiting a few stalls selling fresh fruit or local street food.

Weather in Kandy – when to go on holiday?

The best time to travel to Sri Lanka is our winter and early spring – from January to April. This is the driest period, so the chance of good weather throughout your stay is high. The temperature fluctuates between 20 and 30°C, but thanks to the low humidity, even high temperatures seem bearable. There is often rainfall from May to September, which makes sightseeing and trekking in the area difficult, but it is worth considering this period as well, because every year around July-August, Kandy hosts the Esala Perahera, which lasts several days. During this celebration, a replica of the Sacred Tooth Relic is taken out of the temple and travels through the city along with numerous processions, accompanied by music and dance. Between October and December, Sri Lanka experiences heavy rainfall, which makes planning any activities much more difficult, and the high humidity can make the trip unpleasant.

Attractions, monuments in Kandy - holiday guide

Temple of the Holy Tooth Relic

Sri Dalada Maligawa, or the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, also known as the Temple of the Tooth of the Buddha, is undoubtedly the biggest attraction in Kandy. The construction of the original complex was completed in 1595, but the temple was destroyed and rebuilt several times, the current building dates back to 1739. According to legend, the relic gives the right and power to exercise undivided power over the chosen territory and for this reason it became the subject of a dispute. It came to Kandy hidden in the hair of Princess Hemamali, who had fled to Sri Lanka from the troops besieging her father's kingdom located in India. Three times a day, the temple hosts a ceremonial unveiling of the tooth - at least in name, because only the golden casket in which the relic rests is unveiled. Every week, on Wednesday, a symbolic tooth bath is also held, and the water used for it with herbs and flowers is later distributed to the gathered believers - it is said to have healing properties. When going to the temple, remember to cover your legs and arms, and also take a backpack so as not to pay extra for storing your shoes.

Royal Botanical Gardens Peradeniya

The beginnings of the Garden date back to 1371, when the newly crowned King Wickramabahu III decided to move his court here. Successive rulers added to the slowly emerging gardens until they took their final form in 1843. At that time, they were used to grow coffee and cinnamon trees, and successive caretakers left mementos in the form of new species over the years. Today, Peradeniya is known primarily for its impressive collection of orchids, and in total, you can admire over 4000 species of plants here. The garden is divided into several thematic areas, including the Flower Garden - with a rich collection of flowers, the Spice Garden - containing a variety of spices, the Medicinal Garden - full of plants used in folk medicine and the Orchid House - where you can admire the previously mentioned collection of orchids.

Gadaladeniya Temple

Built in 1344 by King Bhuvanekabahu IV, this temple is one of the largest partially rock-cut religious buildings in Sri Lanka. Its main architect was from India, so it combines several architectural styles from different parts of the region. The room that houses the main altar is almost entirely carved out of granite, and inside there is a 2,5-meter statue of Buddha in the Dhyana Mudra position, associated with the meditation that accompanied his first enlightenment. However, the most famous element of the temple is its magnificent medieval paintings – the paintings on the doors to the main altar are particularly prized, and are said to be second only in scale to the frescoes at Sigiriya.

Embekka Devalaya Temple

Embekka Devalaya comes from the same period as Gadaladeniya – it is only a dozen or so years younger, but seems to be its complete opposite. Instead of rooms carved into the rock, you can admire impressive bas-reliefs decorating the wooden columns and ceiling beams of the main hall. It is divided into three parts – the “Sanctum of Garagha”, the “Dancing Hall” and the “Drummers' Hall” – the richest carvings are in the last of them. The construction of Embekka Devalaya is accompanied by an interesting legend about a drummer who fell ill with an incurable disease and was miraculously cured after visiting a distant temple dedicated to Kataragama, the guardian deity of Sri Lanka. The grateful man vowed to make a pilgrimage to the temple every year, but as he began to lose strength in old age, further travels became impossible. Then Kataragama visited him in a dream and ordered him to make a pilgrimage to the nearest place where the miracle occurred. Soon the drummer learned that in the nearby gardens there was a tree that bled from any wound it was given – he excitedly informed King Wickramarabah, who ordered a new temple, Embekka Devalaya, to be built there.

Bahirawakanda Temple

This relatively new temple quickly became a must-see – literally. The nearly 27-metre-tall seated Buddha can be seen from virtually every corner of Kandy, which was a source of controversy and protest from the monks who care for the Temple of the Tooth during its construction phase. They argued that the new religious building, designed on such a grand scale (and located just 2 km away), would overshadow their temple, which deserves to be called the most important in Kandy because of the relic it houses. Even the President of Sri Lanka was involved in the matter. Ultimately, the temple, officially called Sri Maha Bodhi Viharaya, saw the unveiling of the famous statue exactly twenty years after its consecration in 1972. Although it has no historical sculptures or paintings, it makes up for their lack with its elevated position, which offers magnificent views of the surrounding area.

Kandy National Museum

The Kandy branch of the National Museum is located next to the Temple of the Tooth, in the former royal palace. The museum was opened in 1942 and boasts over 5000 exhibits from the period of the Kingdom of Kandy (2th-1815th centuries). The museum is housed in two buildings belonging to the palace complex - in the main pavilion (Maha Wasala) you can admire temporary exhibitions and several smaller collections, while the main exhibition is located in Palle Vahale, a building once used by the royal concubines, also known as the Lower Palace. Among the collections, a copy of the Treaty of Kandy, concluded on 1855 March 1860 between the Kingdom of Kandy and the then Governor of Ceylon, Sir Robert Brownrigg, stands out - under the terms of which the territory of the Kingdom came under complete British rule. In the courtyard stands a statue of Sir Henry Ward, who held the office of Governor from XNUMX to XNUMX, reforming and unifying the work of the administration.

International Buddhist Museum

Another interesting place in the royal palace complex, which also houses the Temple of the Tooth. Opened in 2011, the museum is the only place in the world where you can gain comprehensive knowledge about Buddhism – learn about its principles and learn about its expansion around the world. As many as 17 countries contributed to the creation of this place, including Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Japan, China, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar. Each country has its own room in the museum, where you can see exhibits such as sculptures, manuscripts, models and photos, and everything is organized so that when walking between rooms, you can easily notice the similarities and differences in the branches of Buddhism characteristic of specific countries. In total, the exhibition occupies two floors of a beautiful, Victorian building, which once housed the seat of the regional administration.

Lankatilaka Temple

The Lankatilaka Temple, officially known as Lankatilaka Raja Maha Vihara, was built in the second half of the 1344th century. An inscription carved in stone on the eastern side of the building gives the year XNUMX as the date of the donation of land for the construction of the temple, and it is noted that the donor was not the king of the time, but one of the generals. Lankatilaka is often called the “Blue Temple,” a name derived from the bluish paint that originally covered the building, which is still used by the locals, although it was recently renovated and repainted white. Of the four original floors, only the ground floor and part of the next floor remain, but even this small part was enough to earn the temple the reputation of being the most magnificent and architecturally interesting of all those built during the Gampola Kingdom.

Nelligala International Buddhist Center

Built in 2015 on the top of the hill of the same name, the Nelligal Centre is more than just a temple. What sets it apart from other religious buildings in the area is its distinct modernity – there are numerous disabled facilities, a large car park right at the top of the hill and a comfortable rest area for pilgrims with a few shops. The temple is best visited at sunrise or sunset – partly because fewer visitors enhance the reflective atmosphere of the place, and partly because of the rows of golden statues decorating the courtyard, which look particularly impressive against the pink-coloured sky. The centre often organises lectures and various educational activities, and meditation classes are particularly popular, and are also available for complete beginners.

Ranawana Purana Rajamaha Viharaya Temple

Ranawana Purana Rajamaha Viharaya is a unique place in many ways. Until 2016, the statue located here held the title of the tallest standing Buddha in Sri Lanka, and currently ranks fifth among all representations of the holy sage. Another feature that distinguishes this temple from others is its harmonious integration with the surrounding nature. Vegetation covers the entire area of ​​the complex, and its form is more often given by natural rock formations than elements created by man. A trekking trail also begins here, winding along the hills of the forest that covers the entire area, and pilgrims traveling along it can admire depictions of scenes from the life of Buddha along the way. These scenes can also be seen engraved on the only completed replica in the country of the famous northern torana from Sanchi in India.

Royal Forest Park

Covering an area of ​​104 hectares, the park, whose official name is Udawattakele Forest Reserve, is one of the most popular places in Kandy. It is just a few minutes' walk from the Temple of the Tooth, and on site you can not only learn about the history of the park and the fauna and flora present there, but also find a quiet place for meditation or a viewpoint from which there is a magnificent view of the entire city. The forest, which was declared a reserve in 1856 and a protected area in 1938, is intersected with numerous paths that allow for its convenient exploration. The most popular trail leads along the road named after Lady Horton, wife of the Governor of Ceylon Robert Wilmot-Horton, who held office from 1831-37. In addition to this short, 3-kilometre walk, it is also worth visiting the Royal Pool and the Senkanda Cave, which served as a refuge and place of meditation for Hindu Brahmins as early as the XNUMXnd century.

Unique places in Kandy

Kandy is full of impressive temples, interesting museums and fairytale gardens, so any lover of classic tourist attractions will be delighted to visit this city and will gladly spend a whole day, or maybe even two, seeing all these wonders. However, off the beaten paths of countless tourists, you can also find a few less popular gems. For those who like to slow down and just enjoy the moment for an hour or two, a good place will be the lake located in the city center, whose shores are covered with lush vegetation, creating an atmosphere of peace and reflection. Nature lovers will certainly be happy to go for a walk in the surrounding hills or visit the impressive, 75-meter-high Huluganga waterfall. Tea lovers will feel at home in the Ceylon Tea Museum located near the center, where they will learn the tea processing process from the inside out and taste several unique varieties. Kandy is a city where everyone will find something for themselves.

Luxury Vacation in Kandy

As the cultural capital of the country, Kandy attracts many tourists looking for something special. For this reason, there are quite a few luxury hotels here – not only luxury in the traditional sense of the word, but also cosy cottages, hidden among the forested hills, where you can fully relax and take a break from the rush and noise of everyday life. Exclusive, tailor-made tours will take you to the attractions that interest you the most – whether it be temples, museums or nature. Despite the lack of access to the sea, Kandy is also a good place to rest for a day or two before continuing your journey – narrow streets winding between colourful, colonial buildings and a pleasant lake create a perfect backdrop for a luxurious holiday, while the street food available on every corner allows you to easily (and tasty!) immerse yourself in the local culture.