Kandy
The bustling hill-country capital of Kandy lies on a plain amidst towering hills and looped by Sri Lanka’s largest river: the Mahaweli. The town’s pleasant temperate climate, its scenic location and its rich history has made it a favourite haunt for travellers. It is also the natural gateway to the stirring peaks of Sri Lanka’s hill country. During the month of August, Kandy dazzles with the sounds and lights of the Kandy Perehara – a magnificent procession where a sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha is majestically paraded on elephant back along the streets.
Weather
Kandy sits at a far lower altitude than the other main hill towns and because of this often basks in higher temperatures and lower rainfall than in the hills to the south. December to May is the best bet. June to August can be breezy and short on sunshine; October is generally the wettest month. The main south-west (“yala”) monsoon brings rain to the west and south-west coasts and hills largely between May and July. The north-east (“maha”) monsoon hits the east coast from November to January. There is also an inter-monsoonal period of unsettled weather in October.
Getting There
Kandy is a central destination from which other regions of the island can all be accessed. It is also the halfway point from Colombo to the hill-country town of Nuwara Eliya. Kandy can be accessed by train or car along the crowded main Colombo – Kandy road. Pick your times to travel carefully
Kandyan Cultural Show
Watch a Kandyan cultural show and be awed by the spectacular dance, acrobatics, costumes and music. Held in Kandy town, this cultural show depicts various forms of Kandyan dancing which was once native to the area but has now spread to different regions of the island. Originated from a dance performed by Indian shamans who came to the island, Kandyan dancing plays an important role in Sri Lankan culture and is a much-anticipated event during perahera processions. During the show, you will see several dances which depict the graceful movements of birds and animals, which trace their origins back to the ancient ritual known as the Kohomba Kapkariya, as well as energetic acrobatic performances where the men perform a series of leaping pirouettes and stunts such as plate-spinning and the dramatic ‘fire walk’ which ends the show.
Duration: 4 hours
Best time: Year-round
Temple of the Tooth
Discover one of the great legends of Sri Lanka by visiting the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy where a sacred tooth relic of the Buddha is housed in great splendour. The story of this religious relic rivals any in the world. The Buddha’s tooth was brought to Sri Lanka in 4th Century A.D. and was subsequently passed round with great ceremony by a succession of Sinhalese kings and monks who regarded it as a symbol of sovereignty.
Duration: 2 hours
Best Time: Year-round
Royal Botanical Gardens
The Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens, located just outside of Kandy, are Sri Lanka’s largest landscaped gardens, spanning over 60 hectares, and can lay claim to being the finest in Asia. They will delight anybody who loves to see nature showcased at its best.
The origin of the gardens dates back to the 14C century, but they were not formally established until 1843 when the British took control of the Kandyan Kingdom. During the development of the gardens, a wide variety of plants were moved from several other parts of the island including Slave Island in Colombo and Kalutara on the west coast. Many species were also shipped from Kew Gardens in London, which has the most diverse botanical collection in the world.
Duration: 2 hours
Best Time: Year-round
Kandy Temple and City Walk
Go on this guided city walking tour of Kandy and see for yourself this town’s intriguing combination of cultures. Begin by strolling around Kandy Lake and spot glimpses of the Temple of the Tooth – one of the most iconic Buddhist temples in South-East Asia – as you wend your way to the British Garrison Cemetery where your guide will regale you with tales of its colonial residents. The town’s religious diversity is boldly apparent as you explore the exceptional temple grounds, from which you can view the nearby church, kovil and mosque. After grabbing some refreshments at the historic Empire Café, head to a busier district which plays host to a variety of interesting monuments before finishing at the intoxicating Kandy Market.
Duration: 3 hours
Best Time: Year-round
The Three Temple Loop
Three temples, all offering different stories to capture your imagination. Start at Gadaladeniya and step into the 12th century. In this temple you will find out about the influence that Buddhism has on Hinduism and vice versa. Here notice the grandeur of the architecture, the incredible size of the Buddha statue and the remarkable artistry in the detailing of the artwork. Enjoy a tuk tuk ride through paddy fields and reach the second temple, Lankatilaka. Your knowledgeable guide will talk you through the foundations of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, and the role it plays today for 75% of the population. Before reaching your third and final temple of the experience, you will stop at a plantation to take in the sights and smells of how coffee, tea and pepper are all grown side by side. Embekka, hosts a Hindu shrine unlike many others, and a view of its surroundings that is seemingly endless.
Duration: 3 hours
Best Time: Year-round
Degaldoruwa Cave Temple
When you first enter the temple, you are immediately stunned by the beautiful paintings on the walls of its inner chambers. The ornate Makara Thorana (dragon archway) as well as the murals on the ceilings are well preserved. Though it is said that the construction of the temple started during the reign of King Kirthi Sri Rajasinghe, it was completed only under the reign of King Rajadhi Rajasinghe. This historic temple surrounded by lush greenery is hollowed out of a 40-ft rock cave. There is a reclining Buddha statue housed in the image house, painted in bright orange and yellow. The vibrant paintings on the cave surface also feature the Buddhist Jataka stories. It is said that the finest of Kandyan era frescoes adorn the ceilings of the Degaldoruwa temple.
Duration: 1 hour
Best Time: Year-round
