Listly by Joanna James
The city of Kandy is considered to be one of Sri Lanka's cultural hubs. In this city, you will find a host of interesting places to visit, such as the Temple of the Tooth, Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage and the Kandy Lake.
Anyone who loves animals and in particular, elephants should take the opportunity to visit the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage which is situated in proximity to the city of Kandy. At this orphanage, you will see a whole herd of elephants that are cared for here. These include elephants that have been orphaned, injured or isolated and cannot fend for themselves in the wild. Visitors will have the opportunity to observe the elephants as they feed, bathe and play with each other. In addition to providing the chance to observe these gentle giants, you will find that this venue will be an excellent location for a relaxed picnic with your family.
The greatly venerated Temple of the Tooth is Kandy's foremost religious attraction. This temple is revered by the Buddhists of Sri Lanka as it is believed to house a tooth relic of Gautama Buddha himself. The chamber where the tooth relic is kept is opened to devotees during times of prayer, although no one gets to view the relic itself which is kept within a special casket. Three sessions of rituals are conducted each day to honour the sacred tooth relic. An important event associated with this temple is the Esala Perahera, an elaborate procession featuring elephants, drummers, acrobats and other performers.
Nature lovers are sure to be entranced by the picturesque Huluganga Falls which presents an appealing sight for the visitor. The Hulu River which creates the falls originates at the Knuckles mountain range. You will see that this waterfall which measures 75 m in height is a lovely creation of nature. Visitors will find that this waterfall still looks pristine and seems untouched by the hand of development. You will notice a number of large rocks at the base of the falls. Many visitors take the opportunity to photograph the picturesque waterfall as it presents an attractive and memorable sight for the tourist.
The pleasant Kandy Lake is undoubtedly one of the city's significant features, and is also a popular attraction for the sightseers visiting Kandy. In fact, Kandy Lake will be an appealing locality at which to take a relaxed stroll or spend quality leisure time. This pretty lake provides a pleasant respite from the activity of the city, making it a delightful place at which to relax and unwind after a busy day of sightseeing. Around the environs of the lake, you will also have the opportunity to experience scenic views that are likely to captivate the visitor. An accommodation choice to consider from which this lake would be within easy reach would be Oak Ray City Hotel Kandy which may be regarded as one of the conveniently located Kandy budget hotels.
In proximity to the city of Kandy, you will find the Bahirawakanda Temple which is another important religious attraction that will appeal to the sightseer. Here you will notice a huge Buddha statue that is frequently visited by both devotees as well as tourists. In fact, this colossal Buddha image can be seen from any location within the city of Kandy. Despite this, many sightseers undertake the climb to the summit of the hill on which the statue stands in order to view the immense structure up close. You may ascend the hill on foot or alternatively hire a tuk-tuk for the journey.