Joanna James
The highland town of Kandy offers a unique experience for the visitor. There are many reasons to visit Kandy, such as visiting the Temple of the Tooth, experiencing Kandy Lake, enjoying drum and dance shows and more.
As its name suggests, this greatly venerated temple features a tooth relic of Lord Buddha and therefore is a sacred place for the Buddhists of Sri Lanka. On one side of this temple you will find the Audience Hall, which is a lovely pavilion that features Buddha images, ivory and stone columns. The actual tooth relic is kept in a heavily guarded chamber within a special casket. If you choose to visit this temple during the evening, you are likely to experience its tranquil and mysterious ambience.
In Kandy, you will have the opportunity to view one of the enthralling drum and dance shows which showcase an important aspect of the distinctive culture of Sri Lanka. At one of these shows, you will be able to experience spectacular, intense and vibrant performances that are sure to capture the imagination of the culture lover. At these shows you will see both male as well as female artistes attired in colourful traditional costumes. You will be able to view a number of the typical dances that are a part of the local culture, including the well-known devil dancing performances.
In proximity to the city of Kandy, you will find the beautiful Peradeniya Botanical Garden which at one time was exclusively reserved for the royalty of Kandy. Today, of course, it is open to all and is considered to be the biggest garden of its kind in the nation of Sri Lanka. Within this garden visitors will encounter a splendid selection of botanical specimens including cannonball trees, orchids, coconut palms, rubber trees, giant bamboo and a spice garden. Make sure to check out the royal palm avenue which dates to the year 1950. You will also have the opportunity to relax and unwind on a pleasant lawn.
The appealing Kandy Lake is one of the prominent features of the city of Kandy. This peaceful and charming lake is a pleasing sight that will strike the imagination of the visitor. It is always a captivating experience to stroll along this lake whilst taking in the picturesque views. At the centre of this lake, you will see a little islet that was once made use of by the local monarch’s harem. An accommodation choice to consider from which this lake could be conveniently visited would be Cinnamon Citadel Kandy which is one of the pleasingly located hotels in Kandy, Sri Lanka.
If you like elephants your visit to Kandy would not be complete without visiting the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. This orphanage which is managed by the Sri Lankan government was established to look after orphaned and abandoned baby elephants. Today, it contains the world’s biggest group of captive elephants and has become a popular attraction for both locals and tourists. Here you will be able to observe the elephants in their daily activities and even feed them fruits such as pineapples and bananas. You can also see the cute baby elephants which present an endearing sight for the visitor.
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.
