Joanna James
The town of Kandy is one of Sri Lanka's important religious and cultural hubs. In Kandy, you will also find an array of interesting things to do that will strike the interest of the discerning visitor, like those described below.
The renowned Temple of the Tooth Relic or Sri Dalada Maligawa as it is known in the local language is Kandy's most important religious attraction. This temple is believed to house a tooth relic of the Buddha himself and accordingly is greatly venerated by the Buddhists of Sri Lanka. During the regular times of prayer, visitors will have the opportunity to view the golden casket in which the relic is kept. Another noteworthy attraction related to this temple is the annual Esala Perahera, an elaborate procession featuring numerous elephants, dancers, drummers, musicians, jugglers and other performers.
The beautiful Kandy Lake is a manmade body of water that was constructed by the final king of Kandy as well as Sri Lanka, Wickrama Rajasinha, in order to complement the picturesque complex of the Temple of the Tooth. Various legends are associated with this lake, one of which suggests that the monarch constructed a hidden tunnel extending from the lake's central island to his palace. Today Kandy Lake is regarded as one of Sri Lanka's noteworthy attractions and is a delightful location for a relaxed stroll in the midst of the city of Kandy.
Plant and nature lovers visiting Kandy should undoubtedly take the opportunity to visit the splendid Peradeniya Botanical Garden. Considered to be the finest botanical garden in Sri Lanka, this attraction boasts a host of engrossing varieties of plants, flowers and trees. Highlights at this garden include orchids, palm trees and medicinal plants that are sure to capture the imagination of the sightseer. Other captivating attractions here include the giant Burma bamboo, cannonball fruit tree and the massive giant Javan fig tree. The garden is also a popular destination for couples interested in romance and you will also notice creatures like monkeys and fruit bats here.
The island nation of Sri Lanka is ranked amongst the world's significant producers of tea and in the environs of the city of Kandy you will find a number of interesting tea plantations. Many visitors to the region take the opportunity to visit a tea estate as you will thereby have the chance to admire the beautiful tea plants and inspect the factory production process. In this regard, a good choice would be Geragama Tea Estate which is located in proximity to Kandy. Here you will be able to take a tour of the facility and also sample the delicious teas that it produces. A choice of accommodation to consider from which this attraction would be within easy reach would be Mountbatten Bungalow, which offers pleasingly located holiday bungalows in Sri Lanka.
Situated atop a hill looking over the city you will find the Bahiravokanda Vihara where you will see a massive statue of the Buddha which is one of Kandy's most noteworthy religious attractions. Here visitors will have the opportunity to climb up to the hill's summit which will be a tiring but rewarding experience; just beware of the high midday temperatures. After you have ascended to the peak of the hill you will be able to enjoy remarkable views over the city of Kandy as well as its environs. As a mark of respect, you must remove footwear before you enter the religious site, where you will be able to observe the local devotees make offerings and light lamps to honour the Buddha.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
