12 Things in Kandy, Sri Lanka You Should Not Miss Out! Recognized as the Island’s cultural capital, Kandy also known as Senkadagala is the second largest city in Sri Lanka. It is also listed under UNESCO World Heritage list. Approximately situated 105 Km away from Colombo International Airport Kandy is the last capital of the ancient kings’ era of Sri Lanka. Nestled beautifully between the Knuckles and the Hanthana Mountain Ranges with an elevation of 500 meters above sea level, this place is blessed with scenic beauty and rich culture. Because of its attachment to the ancient age of Sri Lanka’s Kings, you can find a number of old temples and palaces here. Its strategic location makes Kandy a cooler place compared to the rest of the tropical Island and is ideal to visit all through the year. Here are 12 things in Kandy, Sri Lanka you should not miss out.
1. Visit the Temple of The Tooth (Sri Dalada Malagawa) Sri Dalada Maligawa also called as the Temple of Tooth Relic houses the upper left canine tooth of The Buddha. Don’t be fooled by the simple white exterior of the temple. It’s interiors are a striking contrast to its plain exterior. You will notice intricate carvings and rich decoration using ivory, bronze, wood and lacquer. The Sacred Tooth Relic rests on top of a gold lotus flower in the inner shrine, encased carefully in a jeweled casket. The tooth is taken outside once a year during the Kandy Esala Perahera festival. The King’s palace is also in the same temple compound. There are three rituals also known as ‘’Tevava’’ conducted during the day – one in the morning, one at noon and one in the evening. It is an auspicious offering conducted in the image Shrine with monks and limited number of people. The ritual is accompanied with the sound of drums, the smell of jasmine flowers and incense sticks. The temple is open for worship throughout the day. On Wednesdays the Tooth Relic is given a bath in specially prepared scented herbal water with fragrant flowers. A visit to the relic would cost you around ten dollars.
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2. Spend time at the Nilambe Meditation Centre The Nilambe Meditation Centre offers retreats where one can spend time under the guidance of instructors on the art of meditation. The Nilambe Meditation Centre teaches the importance of meditation and how it can benefit you. The Meditation centre is located in Galaha and is strategically located away from the hustle and the bustle of the city. Enjoy the calm peaceful environment while you immerse yourself in yoga and meditation. The cost for a retreat is not much and is totally worthy of your time. It is advised to spend 3 to 5 days minimum if you are keen to learn and practice Buddhist meditation in a peaceful environment. Reservations should be made through their website at least three weeks in advance.
3.Visit the Commonwealth War Cemetery The Commonwealth War Cemetery is the final resting place for soldiers who lost their lives in World War II. There are about two hundred graves in the cemetery paying respect to not only British soldiers but also Sri Lankans, Frenchmen, Italians, Indians and Canadians, who lost their lives during the war. The cemetery is located in Deveni Rajasinghe Mawatha one mile away from the main road. It is open every day between 07:00-16:00. Outside of these hours the cemetery is locked. A fitting tribute to the soldiers is the well-manicured gardens that give the cemetery a serene feeling. This beautifully maintained cemetery is a moving experience for those interested in historical events.
4. Go to the International Buddhist Museum The International Buddhist Museum in Kandy is the world’s first Buddhist museum, not to mention the most important. It puts on display the Buddhist history of the entire world ranging from India to Afghanistan. The museum is a great place to learn about the histories of the Buddhist culture from around the world and how it affected Sri Lanka. It is located near the
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Temple of the Tooth and the National Museum of Kandy. The advantage of its location is that you can visit the National Museum, The Temple of the Tooth and the International Museum in one go. The museum is open all days between 8AM – 7PM.
5. Stroll around the Bogambara Lake Strategically located next to the Temple of the Tooth, the Bogambara Lake is a great place to take a walk. Visit small shops in the neighborhood and get chatty with the local Sri Lankans you may spot around the lake. Bogambara Lake is also home to many colorful birds. A beautiful stroll around the lake can help you get the feel of Kandy, through its people, shops, sights and the Sri Lankan energy concentrated there. If you like some quiet time, settle down by the lake and watch the world go by with a delicious packet of Sri Lankan street food. You can get samosa, vadai and rotis sold by street vendors around the lake.
6. Celebrate the Esala Perahera Festival Esala Perahera is Sri Lanka’s tooth festival. This grand and colourful event is a ten day celebration to honor the sacred tooth relic. According to the legend, one of Buddha’s followers took his tooth from the pyre during the cremation and smuggled it to Sri Lanka. Then King, Megavanna was thrilled to have the relic in his island and had it showcased during a parade. This became an annual event and the Esala Perahera in Kandy became a celebration to honor the sacred tooth relic during the month of Jul/Aug every year. There is a parade every night, for all ten nights, a spectacle by itself, with dancers, incessant drumming, colorful costumes and decked up elephants. As days goes by, the procession becomes longer, more intense and vibrant. The entrance fee for the Esala Perahera Festival will be bumped up and would vary from time to time.
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7. Learn the Process of Making Tea How can a trip to Sri Lanka be complete without a visit to one of their famous tea factory? At the Kurugama Tea Factory in Kandy, experience first-hand how tea is made. Being amongst the largest tea manufacturers and growers in the region, eighteen different grades of tea are produced here with each grade having a unique flavor, strength and aroma to suit everyone’s taste. Go on a free guided tour in this factory and see every step of the production process. It is fascinating to see the old British installed machines still working perfectly! Not only is the tour informative but a hot cuppa tea by the end of the session will leave you refreshed. At the end of the tour you’ll be introduced to their store where a wide range of the tea products can be found. There is no pressure to buy if you are not keen.
8. Visit the Galmaduwa Temple Kandy The Galmaduwa Temple that belongs to the era of Kandyan Kindgdom is a Buddhist temple few miles from the town centre. This unfinished temple has a unique architecture and is made of stone and bricks. The architecture shows Hindu influence that blends with the serenity of a temple. The caretaker of the temple would be happy to take you around and share its history along with the details of its architecture. The Galmaduwa temple is perfect for a relaxing visit where you can unwind and take in the uniqueness of the design of the temple and admire the different sculptures and structures inside.
9. Hanthana Mountain Range hike This is one hike you must take while you’re in Sri Lanka. Made up of various mountain peaks, the Hanthana Mountain Range is 6 Kms away from Kandy Centre and is a popular destination amongst hikers. The seven scenic peaks offer stunning panoramic views and is an absolute delight for nature lovers. Don’t forget to stick with your guide as many get lost if they wander on their own. Trekking the foot path is not hard and you can climb to the top of the 1st peak in 30 minutes time. Camping in the mountain range is an experience by itself. Go on a leisurely walk, hike the mountains and if
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you are into adventure, opt for mountain biking too. The trek is less strenuous and therefore suitable for beginners and professionals alike. If you are keen to have an overnight stay in Hanthana, get in touch with Ichiqoo.
10. Visit the New Ranweli Spice Garden Spice is abundant in Sri Lanka! The local Sri Lankan food is pretty spicy and may not be suitable for all palettes. Most of the spices in Sri Lanka are home grown and locals reach out to their backyard to add these condiments to their daily cooking. Ranweli Spice Garden is located at Peradeniya, close to the Royal Botanical Gardens. Some of spices you can see here are; Cloves, Aloe Vera, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Vanilla and Cocoa. The environment, filled with fresh air and the lovely aroma of the spices, can help clear your mind.
11. Spend a night at the Horton Plains National Park
While the Hanthana Mountain Range is perfect for trekking, the Horton Plains is perfect for camping and gives a true insight into Sri Lanka’s nature. Known to be the coldest and windiest location in the entire Sri Lanka, spending a night under the stars and amongst a beautiful collection of flora and fauna is an experience by itself. Prepare to witness the Sambar Deer, Sri Lankas national bird, Jungle Fowl and the Purple faced leaf monkey. If you are lucky, you might spot a leopard too. You can stay at the lodge or the camp in the reserve. It is advised to bring a guide along with you if you’re not an experienced hiker. At ichiqoo we offer guided hike tours to Horton’s Plains.
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12. Have a meal in a colonial Bar
The Royal Bar & Hotel established in the late nineteenth century started as a one storey clay building. It has grown since then into a fully modernised bar and restaurant while keeping its rich heritage intact and undisturbed. Having served as a hostel earlier, it has turned into a welcoming inn for Sri Lanka’s citizens and other visitors. Listed as the ‘’World Heritage City Kandy, Conserved Building” by UNESCO, changes to the exterior have been done keeping with tradition while the interior has been modernised without disturbing the colonial look and feel. The restaurant is in good working condition and the bar is fully stocked with all types of alcohol. A great place to unwind after a tiring day.
20 Maxwell Road, #09-17, Singapore 069113
http://ichiqoo.com +65 9781 9464 (SG)