Anne Joana
Kandy is in a nutshell breathtaking. Adored with a mosaic of sheer beauty and deep rooted history there is plenty you can absorb and relish here. Here are some must visit attractions in Kandy.
Located up on the mountains in the heart of beautiful Sri Lanka, Kandy supports a rich and abundant plant life that comes in varying colours and shapes. For this reason and more one of Sri Lanka's most profound gardens is located in this very city that can in a heartbeat take your breath away. Ornamented by a plethora of some rare and exotic species of plants, this attraction's appeal is just as much to the biologist as it is for couples looking for a romantic stroll along tree filled greenery. One of the oldest gardens in the city, the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens was established in the year 1821 by the famous Alexander Moon. From then till today the garden has retained a sense of tranquillity and is known to draw to its gates an estimated 2 million visitors every year. With exquisite highlights such as the Rose Garden and the Orchid House, the garden is without a doubt a masterpiece in the Central Province.
If spirituality is your cup of tea you would absolutely love what the Dalada Maligawa brings to the table. Being by far the most venerated temples in all of Sri Lanka this sacred Temple of The Tooth exhibits Buddhism from culture to history and draws Buddhists from all over the globe to its doors. The Dalada Maligawa is translated to the Temple of The Tooth mainly because it is believed to enshrine the very tooth of Lord Buddha which has been in the island for centuries and even played a major role in the countries governance at a time. The temple is located in the heart of Kandy city by the banks of the famous Kandy Lake within easy reach of a number of popular Sri Lanka hotels.
It may not be as famous as the renowned Temple of the Tooth but the Embekka Devalaya is an equally interesting attraction that has a good dose of history as it does spirituality. Constructed by King Vikramabahu III of the Gampola Era, this is yet another ancient temple in Kandy which is one of the most venerated regions in the city. Dedicated to the Katharagama Deviyo, another local deity called Devatha Bandara is also worshiped here. When exploring the temple make sure you cover the "Sanctum of Garagha", the "Dancing Hall" and the "Drummers' Hall" for each of these sections has something interesting to see.
For a holistic dose of the renowned Kandyan history a visit to the Kandy National Museum is an absolute must. Exhibiting a myriad of treasures from the yesteryears of this nation there is a plenty one can learn here about Sri Lanka's history, culture and traditions.
The Hill Country of Sri Lanka is famed for its tea estates and a common sight to see are the many mountain slopes covered in the distinctive green of tea bushes. Nuwara Eliya, known for its quaint colonial charm, is one of the best places in the central region to see and explore such tea estates. Here you will be able to not only walk amidst tea bushes but also have the chance to interact with local tea pluckers and depending on the estate you visit, get a chance to see how the tea leaves are processed on the way to becoming world famous Ceylon Tea. If you are looking for places to stay, the Jetwing Hotels in Nuwara Eliya make ideal bases from which to explore the town and the surrounding tea estates.
