Bob Coffey
Sri Lanka once was a kingdom and the last era of this sort of rule was the Kandyan Kingdom. To this day remnants of this royalty remains in Kandy and can be witnessed in the many attractions here.
This temple was a creation of King Vikramabahu III of the Gampola era, and to this day it flaunts a historical magnificence in its exteriors as well as interiors. After the Dalada Maligawa, this temple is probably the next most sacred place of worship in the city that is dedicated primarily to Kataragama Deviyo and also to the locally venerated Devatha Bandara. Within the premises of the temple, three halls can be found;"Sanctum of Garagha", the "Dancing Hall" and the "Drummers' Hall". The most significant of them all is the drummer's hall where ornate wood carvings coupled with exquisite pillars and a high pitched roof gives this place of worship a majestic appearance.
If you want a dose of history combined with that sacred vibe that Kandy is so famously known for, pay a visit to the Dalada Maligawa. A place of worship that is sacred to Buddhists all over the world, the Dalada Maligawa is believed to house the very tooth of Lord Buddha. Guided tours can be opted for while exploring the temple premises where guests can learn plenty about Buddhism in general and about the story of how Lord Buddha's tooth travelled from India all the way to Sri Lanka. Throughout the interiors of the temple are pictures, paintings and sculptures depicting these stories. At the courtyard of the temple is a special museum dedicated to the faithful tusker Raja. While you are here, don't forget to check this out.
A historical tour of Kandy is certainly not complete without paying a visit to the city's museum. Since Kandy is etched with plenty of remnants from the past you can just imagine the sort of treasures that you can find inside this museum. In fact history begins from the building which houses this museum for it once served as the residence of the last King of Sri Lanka prior to his arrest. Inside the museum the exhibits on display are just as interesting for the 5000 or so objects found here depict various historical and cultural events that took place during the Kandyan era.
You may wonder what a garden is doing in a list of historical attractions but the Peradeniya Garden is perfect apt here for it is the oldest garden in Sri Lanka that was established by Alexander Moon in the year 1821. This breathtaking garden is complete with a rich variety of the island's finest flora and is beautifully landscaped creating a stunning setting. Located some 5 kilometres west from the city of Kandy, the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens is quite popular among local and foreign tourists. Exploring the site is amongst the most popular things to do in Kandy and people can plan a visit here from Earl's Regency Kandy and pretty much all the other hotels in Kandy no matter how close or far they are. In fact this garden enjoys approximately two million visitors every single year.
