Joanna James
Kandy is the last Independent Sinhalese Kingdom before the British overtook governance of the island, which lasted for around 130 years. The city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, reflects an old-world charm, amidst the bustling modernity overtaking the green Kandy hills.
This eye-catching temple is where the tooth relic of Lord Buddha is placed. Its exterior and interior architecture is according to traditional Kandyan artwork and design. The temple surroundings are beautiful and peaceful but will get crowded during the mornings and late evenings. Many sacred ceremonies are held to worship the hallowed tooth relic at daybreak, midday and at twilight. The ruins of the King's Palace Complex are also located inside the temple premises, and so is the audience hall, also known as 'magul maduwa', which used to be the Kandyan Law Courts before the British took over the island. Just opposite the main temple is another temple grounds with a Bodhi Tree; to honour the gods, Natha and Upulvan (Vishnu); these deities are venerated as guardian gods of Buddhism in Sri Lanka!
This dramatic viewpoint is within Kandy city limits, and ascends 1790 feet! Head there to witness a beautiful sunrise or sunset overlooking the pretty Kandy Town. The Temple of the Tooth, Kandy Lake, and the Royal Palace all come under its vista. Also observable in a clear sky are the seven peaks of the famous Hanthana Mountains and the tea estates surrounding them.
This forest reserve is towards the northern peaks of the Hantane Mountains and overlooks the Temple and the Royal Palace. Udawattakele was used by the Kandyan Kings, Queens and consorts as a pleasure garden. At present, the land comes under the protection of wildlife authorities but remains open to visitors. Around 257 acres of forest land are open to visitors, with many types of birds, deer, reptiles and rare flora, found within the reserve. Some parts of the forest are occupied by meditative Buddhist Bhikkhus, with three hermitages within its perimeter. You can learn more about this scenic forest reserve via blogs such as Truly Sri Lanka.
The Knuckles gets its name from the shape it takes of a folded human hand and is made up of 34 mountains with height variations from 900 to over 2000 metres. Some areas of it remain closed off for visitors to maintain its purity and biodiversity. The lush and dense forest is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with many hidden trails unrestricted to the public to experience. You can encounter pristine waterfalls, crystal-clear mountain rivers, wild animals, and rare medicinal plants. A Kandy travel guide may help you to navigate this breathtaking location.
This temple is among the old Buddhist temples on the island. The eastern and western sections highlight detailed and elaborate designs of Kandyan-style art and architecture. On the eastern facade is the Image House of the Buddha, while the west occupies temples to Buddhist gods and murals from the Gampola/Kandyan period.
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.
