Kandy, the hill capital of Sri Lanka, holds a fascinating history as it was the last remaining independent kingdom in Sri Lanka for almost 200 years until 1815, when the British captured this throne effectively bringing an end to Sri Lanka’s longstanding royal legacy.
Temple of the Tooth, Kandy
Aside from the natural scenic beauty of this mountainous countryside with milder temperatures ranging from a cool 17°C to hot 31°C, there are many significant cultural and historical sights you should see on your holiday in Kandy. A few of the most popular sights are described below.
Kandy is home to the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha which has lain there for the past four centuries, since first being enshrined in what is now the Dalada Maligawa. This has seen the city become a focal point of culture and religion. Its heritage has made Kandyan culture unique from food to attire being different to other parts of Sri Lanka. In fact, Kandy is designated a World Heritage Site, one of seven sites in Sri Lanka.
In honour of this heritage, Kandy hosts the Kandy Esala Perahera, an annual cultural pageant during the Full Moon period in August in which the Tooth Relic is paraded on elephant back heralded by traditional instruments and troupes of dancers.
The Royal Palace or Maha Vasala was destroyed repeatedly by the Portuguese, Dutch and the British. However, today part of the Palace constructed by King Sri Wickrema Rajasinghe (1798-1815 AD), the last King of Kandy, still remains and can be visited.
The Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens, located on the outskirts of Kandy, was established in 1374 as a pleasure garden for the Kings of Gampola and Kandy, and later added to in times of British rule. The Gardens boast more than 4,000 species of trees, plants and creepers. The Spice Garden and Orchid House are very popular attractions as well as the five Palm Avenues.
The Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage located in Pinnawela, 90km from Colombo, off the Colombo- Kandy Road was setup in 1975 to house abandoned and wounded elephants. Orphaned baby elephants are brought here from around the country for care and breeding. A visit here would entail watching the elephants being bathed and fed.
Collectively, these attractions make Kandy a favourite spot amongst travellers to Sri Lanka. Last but not least, the Island’s longest river, the Mahaweli runs thorough this city and a stroll can be taken around this picturesque lake as well as the Kandy Lake. Nature treks in the Knuckles Mountain Range and golf at the Victoria Golf and Country Resort are also activities to indulge in.
Kandy is a hub city from which all towns in Sri Lanka can be reached. The city can be reached from Colombo by the Colombo-Kandy road which is the country’s main trunk route road and via rail through a scenic journey.
For more information on Kandy Holidays please visit:
http://www.teatrails.com/kandy_teatrails.php
