Joanna James
Kandy is the last Sinhalese Kingdom before the British took over the island and the second largest city in Sri Lanka after Colombo. There is much to do in Kandy town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here are some places to add to your itinerary when visiting on a time crunch!
The Temple of the Tooth houses the sacred tooth relics of Lord Buddha. It incorporates traditional Kandyan architecture and paintings to adorn the structure and surroundings. The temple environs are beautiful and will get crowded during the mornings and evenings. Many devotional rituals are performed in honour of the tooth relic three times a day, dawn, midday and evening. The Royal Palace Complex of the Kandyan Kings is also located within the temple premises. There is also the 'Magul Maduwa' (audience hall), where the ancient Kandyan Law Courts were held. There is also a temple for the god Natha and Upulvan (Vishnu), who is among the guardian gods of Buddhism in Sri Lanka.
This panoramic viewpoint is within Kandy city. Go there for a magical sunrise or sunset and a bird's-eye view of the beautiful Kandy City overlooking The Temple of the Tooth, Kandy Lake, and the Royal Palace. Also visible are the surrounding mountains and tea estates, a photographer's dream location and estimation of the true beauty that is truly Sri Lanka.
Udawattakele Forest Sanctuary is on the northern ridges of the Hanthana Mountain range, overlooking the Temple of the Tooth and the Royal Palace. It used to be a pleasure garden for ancient Kandyan Kings and their Queens. Now it is a protected Forest Reserve and is open to the public. There are a few trails within the 257 acres of forest reserve that are open to the public. You can encounter varieties of birds, reptiles and deer, as well as abundant flora. Certain sections of the forest are inhabited by meditative Buddhist Bhikkhus; there are three hermitages found within the reserve.
The name comes from its similarity to a set of knuckles of a human hand and consists of 34 mountains with height variations from 900 to over 2000 metres. Some parts remain closed off for visitors to preserve their unique biodiversity. This is something worth your time while in Kandy. A travel guide can be arranged so you get to experience the true beauty of this place. The lush and dense forest is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with many secret trails open to the public. Encounter pristine waterfalls, thick forests, rivers, wild animals and rare plants.
Also known as Lankatilaka Vihara, it is among the oldest Buddhist temples on the island. It has a distinctive architectural style particular to the Kandyan Period. The temple is constructed on the ground of a rock known as the Panhalgala Rock. Many a Kandy travel guide lists this temple as a must-visit religious attraction in the city.
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A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
