Last remaining independent kingdom in Sri Lanka
For Buddhists, Kandy Hill Capital is the sacred city. The focal point is the Dalada Maligawa also known as the temple of the tooth, where the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha is enshrined. There are many shrines and temples in and around Kandy, where you will see rare paintings, frescoes, wood and stone carvings.
Kandy is still the home of the arts and crafts, music and dance and song which flourished under the patronage of the Kandyan Kings.
In augest of every year, there is a biggest festival in Kandy named "Kandy Asala Perahera" also known the "Festival of the Tooth". On that Asala Perahera festival, the Tooth Relic is taken out from its chamber and carried around the city on a decorated elephant (Tusker). There arround 300 decorated elephants ( Including Tuskers) are walkinkg in that Perahera. And so many Sri Lankan Traditional things (Like various of Dancing) also included in Kandy perahera.
Main Things & Places in Kandy to do & see;
1. Dalada Maligawa / Temple Of the Tooth Relic / Royal Palace ;
The Dalada Maligawa is also known the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. Dalada Maligawa is a Buddhist temple in the city of Kandy which was the last capital of the Sinhalese kings. And it was the Royal Palace. It is the most blessed sites of worship for Buddhists from all over the world. The temple that was built during the 16th century is the abode for the Tooth Relic of the Buddha (left canine tooth to be precise). It was brought to Sri Lanka by two siblings from the Kalinga province in India in the 4th century AD.
The Temple of the Sacred Tooth is the "pilgrimage place of Buddhists." The current Temple was built mainly under Kandyan Kings from 1687 to 1707 and 1747-82. This is an impressive structure surrounded by a deep moat. One of the most impressive sites of this temple; Pattirippuwa, or the Octagon, was added by King Sri Wickrem Rajasingha at the beginning of the 19th century. He also built the Kandy Lake.
Relic worship rituals are held daily in the temple, accompanied by playing the flute and playing the drums.
“Dalada Maligawa” is on the list of world monuments of UNESCO.
2. Royal Botanical Garden, Peradeniya;
The Royal Botanic Garden, also known as the Peradeniya Gardens, is famous for its 300 or more varieties of orchids, medicinal plants, herbs and spices. The birth of the Garden dates back to 1371 during the reign of King Wickramabah III, who kept the courtyard by the Mahaweli River
An area of almost 150 acres in length, perfectly wavy, its average height above sea level is about 1,540 feet. The Royal Botanic Gardens in Peradeniya was officially founded in 1821, six years after the final occupation of the Kingdom of Kandian by the British. However, his story dates back to 1371, when King Wikramabahu III ascended the throne and kept the courtyard in Peradeniya near the Mahaweli River. This place is located less than four miles from Kandy on the Colombo Road, and occupies the loop of the Mahaweli River.
3. Kandy View Point;
From here, you can get a glimpse of the entire city.
4. The Cultural Show;
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.
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