Joanna James
The hill capital of Sri Lanka, the Sacred City of Kandy is a UNESCO World Heritage Site home to some of the island's most significant Buddhist temples; here are five such revered sites each offering something different to experience for a truly memorable visit.
Arguably the most important of the Buddhist temples in Sri Lanka, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic or "Sri Dalada Maligawa" can be found in the heart of Kandy. Those enjoying views of the city from afar will be able to recognise the temple with its shimmering golden roof. Within a 15-minute drive from local hotels such as Cinnamon Citadel Kandy, the temple is where one will find a sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha, kept in a special shrine room. Apart from showcasing traditional architecture and paintings and being home to various shrines and temples, the site is also a key place of interest during the annual festival known as the Esala Perahera.
Another temple worth visiting is the Embekke Devalaya which is believed to date back to the mid-14th-century. This site which is dedicated to the Kataragama deviyo, a guardian deity, can be found at the Embekke Village, within easy reach of several hotels in Kandy, Sri Lanka. Amongst the key features here is an entrance porch with 16 pillars made from wood and which has some remarkable carvings; the Embekke Devalaya is home to many other wooden architectural features and designs with various carvings. The main sanctum, Drummers' Hall and Dance Hall are amongst the places of interest here.
The Lankathilaka Temple or Sri Lankathilaka Rajamaha Viharaya is another historic temple in Kandy; it dates back to the Gampola Kingdom during the 14th century and was built upon the Panhalgala rock. Looking out across the Hanthana Mountain Range, the temple is known for its sacred Bodhi tree, shrine and stupa. You will have to ascend steps cut into the rock to reach the entrance where you will find elephant-lion (gajasimha) sculptures. Other highlights include a dragon arch (makara torana), a statue of a seated Buddha, paintings of 24 Buddhas and images of various deities.
The Gadaladeniya Temple is another sacred site that dates back to the 14th century. Locally referred to as the Gadaladeniya Rajamaha Viharaya, it was built on a rock in Diggala and showcases fascinating South Indian-style architecture and ancient paintings. Visitors to the site will find a large statue of the Buddha in a seated position at the main shrine along with a dragon arch with images of various deities; there are also two standing statues of the Buddha to be found here, while you can also head to a secondary shrine within the premises.
The Amunugama Village in the district of Kandy is where you will find the Degaldoruwa Temple or Degaldoruwa Rajamaha Viharaya. Known for its architecture and paintings / murals that date back to the Kandyan era, the temple also has a noteworthy belfry that can be seen on a visit. The site has a main chamber cut into the rock and within it, one will find many fascinating murals on both the ceiling and the walls; they tell continuous stories which cover tales from the life of Lord Buddha including his previous births.
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.
