There is the most interesting city of Kandy. It is recognized as the cultural capital of the entire state, since its historical center is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. At one time, this city was the capital of the ancient rulers of the island, and even during the period of British colonization they remained committed to traditions. Therefore, when you go on holiday to Kandy, you will definitely enjoy the local flavor to the fullest. Read the article, find out everything you need to know about holidays in Kandy, Sri Lanka in 2019 - and plan a trip to the world of exotica.

Brief historical background

The city of Kandy was founded back in the 14th century, although it was called differently then. It was the capital of the state of the same name, which existed on the island until the 19th century. For many years, the state fought against colonization, concluding alliances to preserve its traditions or fighting in order to defend them.

However, in the 19th century the state surrendered and became part of the British Empire. The ruler was overthrown and the territory was colonized. Well, already in the 20th century, Sri Lanka gained independence, and at the moment Kandy is part of this country. It is the largest religious and cultural center of the country.

Brief geographical information and climate

The city is located in the center of the country, it is located one hundred and fifteen kilometers northeast of, at an altitude of half a kilometer above sea level. The Mahaweli Ganga River, on the banks of which Kandy stands, brings pleasant freshness to the climate. The city also has an artificial lake. The climate of the city is tropical, the average temperature throughout the year is around 25 degrees Celsius. The most precipitation falls in April-May and October-November. The best time to visit the city is from January to March.

Kandy on the map

Safety in Kandy

Recently, the cultural traditions of Kandy have undergone some modification. This is due to the influence of migrants arriving from other parts of the island. The image of the honest Kandy man, as seen through the prism of colonial literature, faded over time. Therefore, petty theft is currently flourishing in the city, which requires tourists to pay attention to their belongings. In addition, in Sri Lanka, some local residents are very fond of luring tourists out of money in every possible way, offering services that are not always necessary. But even with this set of circumstances, Kandy remains a relatively safe city, unlike other settlements on the island.

Communication in Kandy

According to reviews from travelers, Kandy, as a major tourist center, has fairly good internet. Wi-Fi works well in international hotels, but you can also purchase a local SIM card. Since the easiest way to get to Kandy is through Colombo airport, it is most convenient to purchase a SIM card in this large city, immediately upon arrival (at the operator’s office or special stalls). The Dialog operator is popular among tourists - for just 10 dollars (at the airport) or even 100 rubles (away from the tourist center) you can purchase a SIM card with 4G communication quality, and choose the package that best suits your needs. You can replenish your balance online on the operator’s website, as well as by purchasing replenishment cards, where the PIN code will be indicated.

Planning a trip to Kandy: transport and accommodation

How to get there and how to get around?

The easiest way to get to the cultural capital of Sri Lanka is through Colombo Airport. This major city receives many international flights. The cost of a one-way ticket for one traveler in high season will be about 19,000 rubles.

From Colombo Airport you can get to Kandy by high-speed train or taxi. At the same time, you will have to pay about 4,000 rubles for a taxi, and traveling by train will be cheaper and more picturesque. There are also cars with drivers that run from Colombo to Kandy, which can be ordered at a travel agency, or you can take the simplest and most affordable public transport - buses.

Kandy itself has bus stations that allow you to travel around the town and beyond. There are both simple and more comfortable buses, and traditional tuk-tuks for the country, which, by the way, are also rented. But car rental is not developed here. As for the historical center, you can easily get around it on foot.

Where to stay and where is the best place to live?

Don't be afraid that you will be left without an overnight stay. Accommodation in the town of Kandy can be chosen to suit every taste, requirement and budget. There are both comfortable hotels and hostels for students and budget tourists. You can stay in a simple hostel - if you just want to spend the night and don’t care about all sorts of luxurious amenities - for literally pennies, there are offers from 350 rubles per traveler per day.

The average cost of a room in hotels from 2 to 5 stars varies from 1300 to 5700 rubles per night.

There are, of course, truly royal offers: for example, you can relax at the Kings Pavilion hotel with a magnificent view, all kinds of amenities and impeccable service, a swimming pool and a spa center, for about 17,000 rubles per day. If you are traveling in a large, noisy group, then choose one of the many villas or bungalows where you can accommodate the whole family or a circle of friends.

Holidays in Kandy: where to go, what to do, what to see?

In general, the city is constantly visited by tourists who come here on excursions from other resorts in Sri Lanka. This means that there is definitely something to see here.

Attractions and interesting places in Kandy

In the central part of the city there is Lake Bogambara, created by order of the last king of the island state. In the middle of the lake there is a tiny island with the Summer Palace, which once housed the king's harem; you can explore the ancient rooms and baths.

On the lake there is a Temple dedicated to the Sacred Tooth Relic of Buddha. Another name for the temple is Dalada Maligawa. According to legend, the Tooth was transferred to the island back in 311 - on the hair of Princess Hemamala. At that time, it was believed that the capital of the country should be located exactly where this relic was kept. A two-story temple was built specifically to store the relic right on the territory that belonged to the ruler. This happened in 1590, during the reign of King Vilamaladarmasuriya I.

By the way, it is unlikely that you will be able to look at the Tooth itself - the relic is in a box and is taken out only on holidays. However, many pilgrims arrive in Kandy every day who want to visit this sacred place for Buddhists. And for tourists it will be interesting to see the architectural features: patterns on wood and paintings, finishing with rich materials.

In addition to the Temple of the Tooth Relic, the historical center - a complex of buildings - also includes other architectural monuments - these are the Royal Palace, the Audience Hall and the Queen's Palace. To the east of the Temple, near the lake, there is a bathhouse built for the queen. Later it was converted into a library by the English colonialists.

There are three Hindu temple buildings in the vicinity of Dalada Maligawa. They are dedicated to the god Nata, the goddess Pattini and the god Vishnu. And a block from this place you can find a temple dedicated to the deity of war Skanda. It is called Kataragama Devala.

On the territory of the historical center there is an interesting museum called Sri Dalada. Here you can learn more about the history of the Temple of the Tooth Relic, the colonial period in the country's history, see royal regalia and busts of rulers, as well as artifacts found during archaeological excavations.

Another wonderful museum where you can get to know Buddhism better is the International Museum of Buddhism. Naturally, the exhibition consists mainly of images of Buddha, as well as models and photographs of temple buildings.

Among the interesting places in the city is the Royal Pavilion, located right next to the mountain ridge. It was built by an English governor in the 19th century. Now this building serves as the official residence of the head of the country in Kandy. In general, you can see a sufficient number of Victorian-style buildings in the city.

Since Kandy is recognized as the largest center for pilgrims and the religious capital of the state, the Malvatu Maha Viharaya and Asgiri Maha Viharaya monasteries function here. They are considered the main ones in the country. Tourists will also be interested in their architecture, decoration, and rich interiors.

In the vicinity of the city - 15 kilometers away - you can visit the Lankatilaka Viharaya Temple, which is an example of Sinhala architecture. There is a traditional sacred Bo tree, statues, and sacred places for Buddhists. The temple itself was founded in the 14th century.

20 kilometers from the city there is a place called Aluvihara. These are sacred caves that are carved directly into the rocks. You can visit them from the inside, however, the statues and paintings in the caves are modern. A two-hour drive takes you to the 100-meter Ratna Falls, the highest in the region.

Entertainment and leisure in Kandy

If on vacation in 2019 you want to admire the unique nature of Sri Lanka, then you should go trekking. The surrounding area of ​​Kandy is replete with interesting routes that lead to temples and nature reserves, colorful villages and tea plantations, caves and waterfalls.

Thus, nature lovers should definitely visit the Udvavttakele Nature Reserve. Otherwise it is called Royal Forest Park. This stunning place is located on the slope of a hill; previously only rulers could enter it, but now the protected area is protected by the authorities and is accessible to tourists. In this stunning piece of paradise you can visit the Senankanda Cave, an ancient necropolis, and Buddhist temple buildings. In addition, there is a beautiful pond there.

You can also go to the outskirts of the city. So, about 5 kilometers from Kandy there is the city of Peradeniya, where the botanical garden is located. This place is one of the most interesting in the whole country: a huge well-kept area and more than 4 thousand rare plants await tourists in this colorful garden.

It is interesting to be in Kandy during the Esala-Mangallaya holiday. It is celebrated in August and is the largest religious holiday, during which the same box with the shrine - on an elephant's back - is taken out of the main city temple. In addition to the procession, at this time you can see many dances, hear traditional music, and look at the colorful costumes of residents and performers.

While on holiday in Kandy in 2019, you can also do some shopping. We advise you to pay attention to the fruits of traditional folk crafts for which Kandy is so famous. Here craftsmen, weavers of bamboo and straw, jewelers, as well as wood carvers offer their products: they all make objects of art right in front of tourists. When visiting tea plantations, you should definitely buy local tea, which has been famous for centuries all over the world. On Piradis Road there are many shops, including some with fairly inexpensive jewelry made from precious and semi-precious stones.

There are quite a lot of restaurants in the city. It serves traditional local cuisine as well as European and Indian dishes. At the same time, you can order one serving for two or ask for a free refill - and they won’t refuse you. What to try from traditional dishes of Sri Lanka? This could be, for example:

• mallum - coconut salad;
• all kinds of curry dishes: lentils, fish, rice;
• Kavum - local sweets made from rice.

Families with children will enjoy an excursion to the elephant nursery - you can see little elephants, which is sure to please little tourists.

The city of Kandy will appeal primarily to those who are attracted by exotic architecture, fascinated by foreign traditions, and who like mountainous and picturesque nature. In this city you can leisurely visit temples, each of which is interesting in its own way, enjoy good weather and air, and observe the life of pilgrims and ordinary people. A holiday in Kandy will definitely give you peace and a sea of ​​positive impressions.

Video narration about Kandy:

The city of Kandy, the so-called third capital of the island, has its own special history and status among the cities of Sri Lanka: it is considered a sacred place for Buddhists all over the world. I felt this especially vividly when I was in Kandy during the Esala Perahera holiday, when on the streets of the city, in temples, cafes, and parks I saw Buddhists from numerous countries of the world, different nationalities, skin colors, but everyone had one common goal. The dominant and reason for a visit to Kandy for a tourist, traveler, pilgrim is a visit to the sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic (I wrote more about it). I have never seen such magic, sacred meaning, and unity of worship of a sacred relic anywhere.

I admit that there are also disadvantages to periods of active pilgrimage to Kandy: crowds of people everywhere, a large number of tourists, noise, inflated prices in hotels and guest houses. But if you prefer a quieter atmosphere to visit this UNESCO-listed cultural and religious center of the country and its surrounding area, choose any month other than August.

Kandy's traditions are somewhat different from the rest of Sri Lanka. This can be seen in the national clothes that newlyweds still wear when getting married; differences are manifested in rituals and many types of art, for example, dancing and painting. The reason is that Kandy has been an independent state since 1590, and 225 years of its sovereign existence is one of the most striking periods in the development of society and statehood on the island. In 1815, the British finally conquered the island, turning it into their colony. It was only in 1948 that Sri Lanka regained its independence.

The city itself is small, and the influence of internal migration is felt. Now the majority of Kandy residents are Muslims, which brings its own characteristics to the architecture of the city, namely its residential areas and markets.

I recommend taking a walk along the winding streets during daylight hours. The area is hilly, the houses are located right on the peaks, so the walk will not be easy, but if you climb higher, you can enjoy the beauty of Kandy: a combination of nature and architecture. And fresh air and coolness will be your reward for the grueling climb. In a word, Kandy is a must see if you are traveling to Sri Lanka and are interested in an educational holiday.

How to get there

Since the city is the second largest in Sri Lanka, transport links to Kandy are developed at a high level. You can get to it by almost any means of transport. These include buses, including express trains, and trains that run across the entire island. You can get here by rented car or by taxi. But first of all, you need to fly into the country by plane.

By plane

The nearest international airport, Bandaranaike and Kandy, are separated by 110 kilometers. Information about the airport can be found at this link.

You can fly from Russia to Sri Lanka on regular flights of airlines such as Fludubai, Etihad Airways, Air Arabia, Qatar Airways, Emirates, and, of course, Aeroflot, which operates joint flights with these companies. The average cost of tickets from Moscow is 22,000-28,000 RUB. You can compare offers from various airlines and choose the best one at. Flight duration varies around 14 hours. As a rule, the flight is carried out with one connection, which takes 3–5 hours.

Direct flights from St. Petersburg are only possible during high season on charter flights (11 hours). To Colombo, as from Moscow, they fly with one transfer on planes of Arab airlines (see above). Travel time is about 15 hours.

I wrote a little more about how to get to Sri Lanka.

The most comfortable way to get from Bandaranaike Airport to Kandy is by taxi. A little more difficult - by bus or train. I will discuss all the options in detail below.

By train

This is the cheapest method of transportation compared to others, and, perhaps, the most picturesque. The railway near Kandy passes through the hilly regions of the Central Province with their tropical greenery, tea plantations, and eucalyptus forests.

From Colombo

To get to Colombo Fort railway station from the airport, you need to take shuttle bus number 187, which arrives at Colombo Central Bus Station, and then walk 300 meters to the railway station.

Trains leave from Colombo for Kandy approximately every 1-2 hours. They cover the distance between cities (about 120 kilometers) in about 4 hours. Yes, it’s slow, but that’s the nature of local trains. For detailed flight schedules to/from Kandy, see.

Ticket price is 0.7–1.3 USD (105–190 LKR). However, there is a chance to get on the Intercity Express train, which takes about 2.5 hours and has modern first-class carriages with TV, air conditioning and Wi-Fi. A ticket for such a train will cost about 6–10 USD (800–1,500 LKR). Seats in luxury class cars and with panoramic views must be booked in advance.

It should be noted that Sri Lankan trains, despite the large number of passengers and their frank dilapidation, are quite clean.

From the southwest coast

If you are vacationing on the southwest coast, then you can go to Kandy by train only by first reaching Colombo, and then according to the described scenario.

From Kandy railway station, the main attractions are just a stone's throw away - a 15-20 minute walk. Of course, you can use a tuk-tuk, of which there are a great many at the station.

How to diversify your trip

After Kandy, the train from Colombo leaves for the city of Badulla and travels along an even more picturesque road through tea plantations and eucalyptus forests, stopping at stations such as:

• Hatton, near which the famous Adam’s Peak is located;
• Nanu Oya, located a 15-minute drive to Nuwara Eliya - the “city of the rich”, made in the English style;
• (Ella) - Sri Lankan mountains, hills, waterfalls and tea plantations.

If you have free time, you can go to any of these places from Kandy.

By bus

This is a more versatile and faster way of transportation compared to the train. There are two common options.

Direct bus to Kandy from the airport

Travel time from the airport to Kandy along the A1 highway will be about 3 hours. The route is excellent, but in the city areas there are traffic jams and congestion. The main thing is to be prepared for the local “Asian” type of traffic and be careful.

Clue:

Kandy - the time is now

Hour difference:

Moscow − 2:30

Kazan − 2:30

Samara − 1:30

Ekaterinburg − 0:30

Novosibirsk 1:30

Vladivostok 4:30

When is the season? When is the best time to go

The climate of Kandy cannot but be affected by the highlands (500 meters above sea level), as well as the distance from the ocean coast. Hence the weather has its pros and cons. As a rule, during the day the temperature is +27 °C, and in the evening, when the sun goes down and it becomes cooler, the thermometer drops to about +23 °C. At night it is even cooler - +20 °C. Among the disadvantages are stuffiness and humidity during daylight hours due to the lack of wind from the ocean.

Kandy is the second largest city in Sri Lanka, so there is no particular seasonality in the operation of shops, restaurants, etc. Tourists come here at any time and in any weather.

Kandy in summer

No matter how hot the weather may seem, summer is the time of the Esala Perahera holiday, which means August is the most interesting month for immersing yourself in the atmosphere of a national-religious event, when thousands of pilgrims come to Kandy to see the procession with the removal of the sacred Tooth Buddhas, relics of all Buddhists in the world. Neither humid nor hot weather can spoil the festive mood of the city. Summer air temperature during the day is +28 °C, in the evening +25 °C.

Kandy in autumn

During this period, it is impossible to predict the weather, and it is better to prepare in advance for possible heavy rains and gusty winds. This feature of the season is associated with climate changes, when the monsoons intensify on the east coast, replacing them on the western part of the island. Autumn air temperature during the day is +29 °C, in the evening +21 °C.

Kandy in spring

Spring pampers tourists with its changeability and unpredictability. In particular, from February to March is the best period of this season to visit the “cultural capital”, since it is still cool and quite dry. Air temperature during the day is +28 °C, in the evening +22 °C. In April, the monsoon season begins in Sri Lanka, which also affects the central part of the island, bringing heat and humidity. Air temperature during the day is +31 °C, in the evening +23 °C.

Kandy in winter

Winter in Sri Lanka is a season of dry weather; there are rains, but very rarely. Relaxing and visiting attractions at this time will be the best choice. The daytime temperature in winter in Kandy is about +26 °C, the night temperature is 22 °C.

Kandy - weather by month

Clue:

Kandy - weather by month

Districts. Where is the best place to live?

There are a sufficient number of good hotels in Kandy, and even more different guest houses. When planning a trip, you must take into account that during religious holidays, all cheap accommodation is usually occupied by pilgrims and Sri Lankans themselves.

When booking hotels, remember that the price does not include city tax - 3%, which will have to be paid additionally. You can compare hotel offers and choose the most profitable one, and book your favorite option on. It’s convenient to check if there are last-minute tours available for your travel dates. There are many advertisements for renting apartments, villas and guest houses on.

When choosing a hotel in Kandy, in addition to the location relative to the center, you also need to take into account the terrain, since the city is located in a lowland between hills.

Four regions can be roughly distinguished:

1. city ​​center,
2. city ​​hills,
3. tea plantations,
4. along the Mahaweli Ganga river.

City center

Since the main attraction of Kandy is, this area has been the center of the city since ancient times. A pleasant bonus of staying here is walking distance to all attractions, the opportunity to walk to the temple in the evening and admire thousands of burning lamps.

Basically, there are expensive accommodations costing 50–60 USD (7,500–9,000 LKR) per day, but it cannot be said that in all hotels the quality corresponds to the price.

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage

People come here for an unforgettable spectacle and positive emotions. There are about 90 elephants at the Pinnawala nursery. From young to old, with different fates, but here they found shelter and care in the person of more than a hundred employees. In addition, many tourists come to see the elephants bathing and feeding, which, by the way, arouse mutual interest.

Operating since 1975, the nursery has become the hallmark of Sri Lanka, despite the fact that similar centers appear in different parts of the island, this is where most tourists come.

The best time to go to Pinnawela is early in the morning. In the mornings and afternoons (10:00 and 14:00), elephants go to the Maha Oya River to bathe. A whole ritual is carried out with the blocking of the shopping street, which upon completion turns into a tourist bazaar. There you can buy various souvenirs, leather goods and goodies.

You need to spend at least 3 hours at the elephant nursery. For children, it will be a wonderful experience and joy from contemplating and communicating with these leisurely animals, living symbols of Sri Lanka. Adults also delight in the opportunity to feed the elephants or bottle feed baby milk (for a fee at 9:15, 13:15 and 17:00). There is an opportunity to ride an elephant (with or without a saddle). Cost - 30 USD (4,500 LKR).

Opening hours: daily from 8:30 to 18:00. Ticket price is 16 USD (2,500 LKR) for an adult and 8 USD (1,250 LKR) for a child.

How to get there

This unique attraction is located 40 kilometers from the city of Kandy. To get to Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, you need to take a bus or train from Kandy to Rambukana station, and then about 2 kilometers by tuk-tuk.

You can read all the details about the nursery in Pinnavel.

Ambuluwawa

Less known among tourists, but nevertheless a unique place, is located 20 kilometers from Kandy. If you're traveling here, check out the neighboring Gampola region and the opportunity to visit Mount Ambuluwawa. It houses the unique Ambuluwawa Biodiversity Complex, which is a combination of nature and human creation.

Here you can observe how people naturally coexist with natural diversity. The mountain is covered with almost two hundred different species of plants from 80 families, including medicinal herbs, the names of which we have sometimes never even heard. You will admire the harmonious combination of natural forest adjacent to agricultural plantings.

Ambuluwawa is located at an altitude of 1,950 meters above sea level and is surrounded by other mountains. This arrangement adds sophistication and beauty to the landscape.

At the top of the mountain there is a temple of the Four Religions, unique in architecture and design. At its base there are premises where international conferences are held. Next to the temple is the Stone Park, where you can see different types of minerals mined on this mountain. The main goal of the park is to show stone as a fundamentally important element of the environment. The element of water is represented at Ambuluwawa by a water park with a double pond. When you climb to the top of the mountain, you can meet deer that are accustomed to humans, and you can feed them.

Opening hours and ticket prices

The entrance fee to the Temple of the Four Religions in Ambuluwawa is 2 USD (300 LKR). Climbing the mountain is free. Open from 8-00 to 16-30.

How to get there

The road to the temple includes:

• Train from Kandy Railway Station to Gampola Station
• Tuk-tuk from Gampola station to the temple.

Spice Garden Matale

Medicinal herbs, spices and spices are the hallmark of Sri Lanka. Since ancient times, the areas around Kandy have been jungles where plants grew in their natural environment, the beneficial properties of which were discovered by man. The largest number of spice gardens are located in the Matale region near the city of Kandy. The basis of modern spice gardens is made up of those same wild-growing centuries-old plants: cinnamon, vanilla, coriander, pepper and many others.

In such establishments there is always free entry, which includes the accompaniment of a Russian-speaking guide. Of particular interest are plants such as coffee tree, cocoa, curry, lime, sandalwood, cinnamon, cardamom. By the way, they are used in Ayurveda - alternative medicine, which is popular in Sri Lanka. The corresponding products can be purchased at the store at the exit of the spice garden.

You can read more about the spice garden in Matale, its opening hours and how to get there.

Nearby Islands

The absence of islands in Kandy and its surroundings is determined by its very geographical location. Perhaps we can mention a small island located in the middle of Lake Kiri-Mukhuda (Sea of ​​Milk). All the main attractions of the city are located along the perimeter of the reservoir, which fits perfectly into the overall panorama of the city.

By the way, according to ancient legends, a royal bath was built on the mentioned island, which was connected by an underwater tunnel to the palace. Now this place is inhabited only by birds: herons, pelicans and other birds. You can only look at the island by swimming closer to it. There is a station on the north shore where you can rent a boat.

Food. What to try

Kandy is a city where people of different nationalities, religions and, of course, different taste preferences live. On the streets and in shopping centers you can find various cafes and eateries serving Indian, Sri Lankan, Chinese, and European cuisines.

Be sure to try the local cakes, which are very similar to those made back in the Soviet Union, and also don’t forget about the national sweets that are sold everywhere in markets, shops and supermarkets. Please note that the recommended selling price is indicated on the factory packaging. The price of sweets that are sold by weight is set by the seller himself, be sure to haggle with him, this will reduce the price by 10 percent.

The map shows a section of the street where, in my opinion, the best places with cakes and other sweets are located.

Among the interesting places in Kandy for lunch and dinner is the White House Restaurant. It presents cuisines from all over the world, and the prices are low.

The place is popular among tourists from different countries because it has a really good selection of dishes. There is also a children's menu.

There is another wonderful restaurant called Slightly Chilled Lounge.

It is interesting because, in addition to delicious and inexpensive food, during lunch and dinner you can enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of the city.

Budget

These are mostly snack bars. The average check in such establishments varies from 1-5 USD.

• Cool Corner Fried Ice Cream Parlor,
• Cafe Divine Street,
• Licensed to Grill,
• Balaji Dosai,
• The Kandy Garden Cafe.

Mid-level

Cafes, restaurants where you can have a full lunch or dinner. The average bill is from 5 to 15 USD per person.

• Slightly Chilled Lounge Bar (Bamboo Garden),
• The Empire Cafe,
• worldspice,
• White House Restaurant,
• Cafe Aroma Inn,
• Kandyan Arts Restaurant,
• Citrus Cafe and Restaurant.

Holidays

Esala-Perahera

Many traditions in Kandy are associated with, and in particular, as I mentioned above, the Esala Perahera holiday, which takes place in August (the exact date depends on the lunar calendar).

During this period, grand celebrations and processions take place with the participation of elephants decorated with lanterns and bells. Dancers, drummers and fakirs, dressed in national costumes, demonstrate their skills and surprise the audience. The teams participating in the Esala Perahera processions are pre-selected through a competition, so you will be presented with the best of the best. The festival lasts a week, and its climax is the final procession with the removal of Buddha's tooth to the people. He is solemnly carried around the Royal Palace in a specially equipped golden sarcophagus.

Thousands of pilgrims and tourists flock to Kandy to take part in the events, pray to the sacred relic and see this colorful performance. During the Esala Perahera celebration in Kandy, there is nowhere for an apple to fall - all hotels, hostels and guest houses are dismantled.

Safety. What to watch out for

How to get around the city

To travel around Kandy with children, choose a taxi or tuk-tuk. If your company is only adults, then tuk-tuk and bus are your options. Since there is a lot of transport in the city, prices, as a rule, are not too high.

Taxi. What features exist

Gradually, taxi services like Uber are reaching from Colombo to major cities in Sri Lanka. In particular, there is a local Pick me operator in Kandy, which you can use by installing the appropriate application. A trip by taxi or tuk-tuk will be more expensive than by bus, but will be more comfortable.

To travel by tuk-tuk, choose the one with the Taxi-meter inscription. They work based on the mileage traveled, not the travel time. You can also see meters in taxis, although you can “negotiate”.

The taxi industry in Kandy is not very developed, because... The city is small, and it is used mainly for transfers between cities and the airport. The cost of a taxi in Kandy is 2 USD (60 LKR) per pick-up and an additional 22 USD (35 LKR) for each km of travel.

Knock-kuk

This is the most common way of moving - they will bring you and take you wherever you go. The price for a tuk-tuk trip is 0.35 USD (50 LKR) for boarding and 0.14 USD (20 LKR) for further 1 kilometer. You can catch it everywhere and at any time of the day.

To travel by tuk-tuk, choose the one with the Taxi-meter inscription. They work based on the mileage traveled, not the travel time.

Buses

All attractions in Kandy are located very compactly and do not require traveling by public transport. However, if you want to get out of town, it is better to take the bus.

The A1 highway connects Kandy with the capital Colombo, and buses run along it day and night. The locals' driving style is quite aggressive, but you quickly get used to it. Tickets are sold immediately on the bus: the conductor will definitely come to you. The cost of travel around the city and surrounding areas is 0.15-0.4 USD (20-60 LKR).

Transport rental

The most common option in Kandy is to rent a car with a driver. Thus, the issues of a tense traffic situation, pedestrians choosing roads, etc. are eliminated. The route does not have to be a loop - you can drive a rented car only part of the way - for example, from the airport to Kandy or from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya. Some street travel agencies also offer scooter rentals for periods from 1 to 14 days. Not a very safe option, but quite suitable for moving around the city.

If you travel by car, then some recommendations will be useful to you:

• Use modern gadgets and a navigator to navigate Kandy and the surrounding area. They have never let me down.
• Do not travel along the trails at night, as it is unsafe in terms of various animals that may come onto the road.
• Take into account the terrain - elevation changes reach 100-200 meters, and roads in the mountains are winding.
• Please be patient - traffic in Kandy, like other major cities in Sri Lanka, is chaotic, especially during rush hours and when leaving the city.

Kandy - holidays with children

An economy accommodation option in Kandy is suitable only if your children are old enough to tolerate local cuisine without any problems. With a small child, it is better to go to 3-4-5 star hotels, which are great for family holidays. For example, Swiss Residence, Oak Ray Regency Hotel, Randholee, Senani Hotel, Devon Hotel, etc. They have children's rooms, appropriate meals, and a swimming pool where children can frolic. If the hotel is located in the Mahaweli Ganga River area, then staying in the jungle atmosphere with flying dogs and monkeys living nearby will be a very exciting adventure of their life.

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Rent a Car- also an aggregation of prices from all rental companies, all in one place, let's go!

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Kandy, Sri Lanka: map, attractions, how to get there

The city of Kandy is located 107 km from Colombo International Airport and 222 km from the popular resort town of Galle, in the central part of the island. Kandy is the second largest city in the island nation of Sri Lanka, after Colombo, and the southern tip of the country's Cultural Triangle. Also, the city, until 1815, was the capital of the last independent kingdom of Kandy.

Kandy is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Sri Lanka. The city's most famous landmark is the Temple of the Tooth Relic (also called Sri Dalada Maligawa), recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Kandy hotels and guesthouses are predominantly located on the mountain slopes surrounding the man-made lake, with panoramic views of the city.

The city is part of the administrative region of Kandy and is the capital of the Central Province of the island, located on the shores of Lake Bogambara, at an altitude of 500 m above sea level. Kandy has a unique, special atmosphere, and its architecture only complements this impression. The specially designed wall of Walakulu Bamma, which means "wall of clouds" in Sinhalese, borders the Bogambara Lake embankment to give the impression of being framed by clouds.

The snow-white walls have triangular holes into which at night, now only on holidays, small oil lamps are inserted, used not only for decorative purposes, but also to illuminate the streets.

The Valakulu Walls project was not completed because... The kingdom of Kandy fell under the pressure of the British conquerors. The river flowing through the city is called Mahaveli Ganga. Mahaweli Ganga is the longest river in Sri Lanka.

Map of Kandy, Sri Lanka

Kandy city name

The exact origin of the name is unknown, but it is believed that the city of Kandy was previously called the "Prosperous Capital of Senkadagala" (Senkadagala Siriwardhana Maha Nuwara), this name was shortened over time to Maha Nuwara (great city/capital). Moreover, in Sri Lanka at the moment the name Maha Nuwara is actively used; it can often be found in transport schedules.

There is, and has even been historically established, another version of the origin of the name “Kandy” since the time of colonization: according to this version, it comes from the words Kanda Uda Pas Rata, which translated from Sinhalese means “country on the mountain.”

Sights of Kandy

Temple of the Tooth Relic / Sri Dalada Maligawa
(Sri Dalada Maligawa)

The temple, located on the shore of the lake, in close proximity to the royal palace, is considered one of the most important places of worship for Buddhists around the world, because one of the two surviving relics is kept there - the Tooth of Buddha. The second is kept at Somavathi Chetiya in the suburbs of Polonnaruwa. The Temple of the Tooth Relic was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988.

Kandy was the capital of the kingdom of the same name from 1592 to 1815. The Sri Dalada Maligawa Temple, built in the 16th century by King Wimaladharmasuriya I, was built specifically to store the relic in Kandy. The king transported the relic from the temple in Delgamuwa, where it was previously kept. At the beginning of the 18th century, the temple was restored.

The temple building was rebuilt several times; the last Kandyan king, Wickrama Rajasinghe, erected an octagon to house the shrine - Octagon / Pattiripuwa, which is located, although on the palace grounds, but is part of the temple.

The entrance to the temple is through Maha Vahalkadda, the entrance has two sides: the outer Valakullu Bamma (wall of clouds) and Diyarelli Bamma (wall of water ripples). After passing Vahalkada and the moat, there is the Ambarawa tunnel. Walking along it, you will find yourself on the first floor of the temple complex. The bottom floor of the building is called Pallemaluwa. This inner room has a large wooden door and is decorated with bronze and ivory. The area in front of the door is called Hevisi Mandapaya (court of the drummers), where daily rituals are performed.

The relic is kept on the top floor of the temple in a chamber called Wadahitina Maligawa. The door of this room is covered with gold, silver and ivory. The tooth is enclosed in seven gold boxes, nested one inside the other, and decorated with precious stones. The outer casket is decorated with precious stones presented to the relic by various rulers. Almost no one has seen the relic itself, with the exception of British explorers and the ruling monarchs of Ceylon.

In the 20th century, the Temple of the Tooth Relic was attacked by LTTE terrorists on January 25, 1998, when the terrorists detonated a bomb, killing 8 people. The explosion damaged many buildings located near the temple, but the relic itself survived and did not suffer any damage.

The Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy is open daily from 5:30 to 20:00. Services (Thevava) are held daily, three times a day: 5:30-7:00, 9:30 - 11:00 and 18:30 - 20:00. The temple also hosts the Saffaron water festival every week on Wednesdays.

Every year the Temple of the Tooth Relic takes part in 6 festivals (perahera):

• January: Aluth Shal Mangallaya - New Harvest Festival (Aluth Shal Mangallaya);
• April: New Year festival for Sinhala and Tamil New Year (Sinhala & Tamil New Year);
• May: Vesak Perahera & Upasampada Ceremony on the birthday, enlightenment and departure of the Buddha into paranirvana (Vesak Perahera & Upasampada Ceremony);
• June: Poson Perahera;
• July - August: Kandy Esala Perahera;
• November: Festival of Lights (Karthik Festival).

Old Royal Palace of Kandy
(Old Kandy Royal Palace)

The remains of buildings seen today at the Royal Palace of Kandy are the residence of the last king of the Kingdom of Kandy, Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe (1797 - 1814). The original palace building was burned and destroyed several times throughout its history and was rebuilt and rebuilt by subsequent kings. Today the former royal chambers are used as district courts.

The first building of the palace was built by King Wickramabahu III, the ruler of the Gampola Kingdom in the 14th century, then it passed to Senasamata Wickramabahu in the 15th century, after which the palace was owned by Vimaladharmasuriya I in the 16th century. Each of them carried out various modifications and expansions of the existing palace.

During the reign of King Senarat, in the early 17th century, the Portuguese attacked the kingdom of Kandy and destroyed the palace. King Rajasinghe II restored the palace in the mid-17th century and it was used as his Royal Palace by subsequent Sinhala kings until 1815, when the kingdom became a British colony. By the end of the reign of the last king of the independent kingdom of Kandy, Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe in the 18th century, the palace already consisted of many buildings.

After the British invasion, the palace was used as a location for government offices. Today, all that remains of the old royal palace is the entrance, located to the left of the Temple of the Tooth Relic. This building currently houses the Museum of the Department of Archeology.

Assembly Hall Magul Maduwa
(Magul Maduwa/Audience Hall)

The assembly hall of Magul Maduwa is also called Magul Naduwa (high court), the building was so named because the kings of Kandy used it to hold courts.

The Assembly Hall was built in 1783 by King Rajadi Rajasinghe, the Magul Maduwa building bears witness to many historical events. This place is considered to be the hall where the missionaries carried out "the most terrible cruelties."

Thus, in the Assembly Hall, documents were signed on the transfer of power over the last independent Sinhala kingdom of Kandy to Great Britain in 1815, and documents were also drawn up here on giving the death penalty to participants in counter-colonial patriotic uprisings. After the handover of rule to the British, the Assembly Hall, where the royal courts were previously held, was converted into a church. Services began to be held in Magul Maduwa and sermons were read.

The original Assembly Hall building that we see today was rebuilt and expanded by the British to host the Prince of Wales in 1875.

To expand the building, 32 carved wooden columns were taken from the Palais Wahale building (now the premises of the National Museum) and replaced with brick pillars. Of these 32 pillars, 16 were used to expand Magul Maduwa: 8 pillars were installed on each side of the building, the old supports were replaced with new wooden bases. The building now has two rows of exquisitely carved pillars, each row containing 32 pillars, on these pillars is installed a roof made in the Kandyan style.

Coffee Planters Fountain
(Coffee Planters Fountain)

Before tea became the country's main export product, Ceylon was one of the largest coffee producers in the world. Coffee production reached its peak by 1870, at which time coffee plantations in Ceylon occupied more than 110,000 hectares.

When the Prince of Wales announced his intention to visit Ceylon, the coffee planters built a fountain to mark the occasion. The bowl of the fountain is shaped like a coffee flower, it was manufactured in a factory in Glasgow and imported to Ceylon in parts.

The Coffee Planters Fountain was assembled in Kandy and first launched for the Prince of Wales in 1873. After this, the fountain was not rebuilt and has reached us in its original form.

Lake Bogambara / Kiri Mukhuda
(Bogambara Lake/Kiri Muhuda)

The city of Kandy is located on the shores of the artificial mountain lake Bogambara, at an altitude of 500 m above sea level. The decorative lake was dug in 1807 on the site of a rice field by the Sinhalese king Wickrama Rajasinghe. To preserve the decorative beauty of the lake, the local population was prohibited from fishing in it.

The second name of the lake is “Kiri muhuda”, it is translated from Sinhala as “Sea of ​​Milk”. In the middle of Lake Bogambara, on an island, there is a Royal Summer House.

The king's ministers advised the king to take up more practical projects instead of building a lake, because... the resources of the kingdom of Kandy by this time were already depleted by the confrontation with Britain. However, the king did not heed the advice of the ministers and the project was implemented, and a few years later, the kingdom, due to the short-sighted and irrational policy of the king, was captured by the British colonialists.

Sri Dalada Museum
(Sri Dalada Museum)

The Sri Dalada Museum is located on the grounds of the royal palace, on the upper floors of the Alut Maligawa building. The Sri Dalada Museum occupies the top two floors.

The museum's exhibition includes many different gifts made to the Temple of the Tooth Relic, antique letters from colonial times, ceremonial objects, statues of Sinhala kings, archaeological excavations and much more. The museum is open from Saturday to Thursday from 09:00 to 17:00, Friday is a day off.

Royal Baths of Ulpange
(Ulpange/Royal Bathhouse)

The Royal Baths are part of the palace complex of the King of the Kandyan Kingdom, Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe.

The baths consist of two parts: one is located on land, near the Temple of the Tooth Relic, the second part is on the water, in the waters of Lake Bogambara.

On the opposite side of the road from the Temple of the Tooth Relic, the Royal Bathhouse, used by the king's wives and concubines, is located. A second floor was added to the baths during British rule and the room was converted into a library and currently houses the police headquarters.

International Museum of Buddhism
(International Buddhist Museum)

The International Museum of Buddhism is located on the territory of the palace complex. The museum's collection contains statues and images of Buddha, models of Buddhist temples from around the world.

The museum's exposition allows one to clearly demonstrate the spread of Buddhist traditions in Asia and around the world. The museum is interesting to visit with children; it gives a general idea of ​​the subject, clearly demonstrating the differences.

Photography is prohibited at the International Museum of Buddhism. Entrance to the museum: 500 rupees. Opening hours: 9.00-20.00.

Hindu temples - four Devalayas
(Maha Vishnu, Natha, Paththini, Khaali Devalaya)

Four Hindu temples are dedicated to the gods Vishnu and Natha, and the goddesses Pattini and Kali. The temples are located on the territory of Sri Dalada Maligawa, in close proximity to the Buddhist Temple of the Tooth Relic.

The Vishnu Devalaya Temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu, located north of Nata Devalaya. Natha Devalaya is dedicated to the Hindu god Natha.

Pattini Devalaya is dedicated to Goddess Pattini, who is consulted for relief from various childhood and infectious diseases, as well as to appease her during times of drought. Pattini Devalaya is one of the objects of the festive Perahera.

Hindu temple Kataragama Devalaya
(Kataragama Devalaya)

The temple is located outside the territory of Sri Dalada Maligawa, on Kotugodella st. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Kataragama, also known as Murugan, Arumugam, Kandasamy, Sabramaniam.

According to Tamil beliefs, the god Skanda arrived in Sri Lanka after a violent quarrel with his wife Thevani, and there he took as his wife a sixteen-year-old concubine from the southern region of Sri Lanka - from Kataragama.

Malvathu Maha Viharaya Temple and Monastery
(Malwathu Maha Viharaya)

The temple complex is located in the city, on the southern side of Lake Bogambara, on Saranankara Mawatha Road. There are two temples on the territory of the complex: Malwathu Maha Viharaya (also called Pushparama Viharaya), and Sirimalwaththa Temple, also called Poyamalu Viharaya.

The Poyamalu Viharaya Temple was built in the early 16th century. Sinhalese king Senasammata Vikramabahu. According to the chronicles, the king built another 86 monasteries for monks from the Malwathu and Asgiri Viharaya monastic brotherhoods. Initially, the monastery was built for only three monks.

The Malwatu Maha Viharaya Temple is one of the two main temples of the Theravardin Buddhist monastic community of the Siam Nikaya order. Currently, the Malvathu Maha Viharaya temple complex serves as a meeting place for the Sangha and also attracts thousands of tourists every year.

Udawattakele Nature Reserve
(Udawattakele Sanctuary)

Udvavttakele Nature Reserve, or as it is also called Royal Forest Park, is located on the hillside behind the Sri Dalada Maligawa complex. During the reign of the Sinhala kings, visiting Udavattakele was prohibited for the local population.

After the fall of the Kandy kingdom, the condition of the forests in the area began to deteriorate sharply, and deforestation began. The territory became a nature reserve in 1856, then in 1938 the territory was included in the list of objects protected by the state.

The reserve contains a pond, the highest peak Kodimale, the Senkanda cave, and the Garrison cemetery, several Buddhist temples and hermitages. Also in the Udawattakele Nature Reserve there is a giant vine, 200-300 years old, called "Pus Wela" or "Entada pusaetha".

Kandy/Ismail Clock Tower
(Kandy/Ismail Clock Tower)

The history of the Kandy Clock Tower, also called the Ismail Clock Tower, is quite tragic: in August 1947, the city of Kandy experienced severe flooding, causing numerous landslides in the area. The bridge over the Mahaweli River at the Royal Botanic Gardens of Peradeniya was completely submerged under water.

Haji Mohamed Ismail during this period owned a company importing British cars to Ceylon. One day on August 14, 1947, Ismail's son, Mohamed Zakki Ismail, traveled from Colombo to Kandy by car with his brother-in-law, friend and driver. In Kadugannawa, a car was buried in a landslide and all four occupants died.

For Mohamed Ismail, the only consolation was creating a memorial for his son. He learned that the city of Kandy needed a clock tower. The municipality of Kandy at that time had already acquired the land on which the clock tower is now installed, and Ismail paid for its development and construction. The design of the clock tower is made in the Kandyan style. All equipment needed for the project was brought from the UK. Construction of the Kandy Clock Tower was completed on December 23, 1950.

Temple with Buddha statue Bahirawa Kanda
(Bahirawa Kanda Buddha Statue)

The huge Buddha statue sitting on a hill is visible from anywhere in Kandy. Bahirawa Kanda Temple is located 2 km from Kandy. The name "Bahirava Kanda" translates as "mountain spirits".

According to the first legend, Bahirava Devalaya was located on the top of Bahirava Kanda. According to legend, hundreds of beautiful girls were sacrificed to Bahirawa Deviyo in this place. These temples flourished during the time of the Nayakkar kings. One day, the bride of one of the royal commanders, who controlled the king's elephants, was sentenced to be sacrificed in the Bahirava Puja ceremony, but he intervened and freed his bride. This marked the end of the practice of the Bahirava Puja sacrifice ceremony, and the Bahirava Devalaya temple itself was destroyed over time.

According to the second legend, during the time of the Kingdom of Kandy, a terrible roar began to be heard every day from the mountain where Bahirawa Kanda is now located, frightening the inhabitants of the city. The people decided that this was the work of the evil spirit of the mountains, demanding a sacrifice to be made to him, then they turned to the king, but he did not know what to do. His minister came to the king and advised him to appease the evil spirit of the mountains by annually sacrificing a beautiful virgin to him. The minister did this because he himself was also an evil spirit, and the king ordered a sacrifice and the bride of the minister’s son was chosen as the victim. At night, the girl was taken to the mountain and left there, but her fiance came for her and saved her, fighting with the evil mountain spirit. After saving the bride, the minister's son made the same sound that the people heard every day from the mountain, and they thought that the sacrifice had been accepted. That same night the couple fled the city.

What to see around Kandy

Royal Botanic Gardens Peradeniya
(Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya)

The Royal Botanical Garden is located 6 km from Kandy in the city of Peradeniya. The Botanical Garden of Sri Lanka occupies an area of ​​about 60 hectares, its collection includes more than 4,700 species of plants, including rare orchids, spices, medicinal plants, royal palms, banyan trees, etc.

Peradeniya is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Sri Lanka, with more than 2 million people visiting it every year.

The Botanical Garden is open year-round, daily from 8.00 to 17.30, tickets are sold until 17:00.

Temples of Asgiri Maha Viharaya
(Asgiri Maha Viharaya)

North of Lake Bogambara is the ancient Buddhist temple complex of Asgiri Maha Viharaya. The temple complex was founded by Siriwardana, the commander of the royal army, on behalf of the monarch of the Kurunegala kingdom, Parakramabahu IV, in the early 14th century.

Initially, the temple building was created as a monastic training center for the residence and training of monks. The first monks to settle in Asgiri Viharaya were monks from the Valasgala hermitage in Japahuwa. According to legend, the name "Asgiri" is formed by translating the name "Valasgala" into Pali as "Acchagiri".

The first reconstruction of the buildings took place during the reign of King Vimaladharmasuriya II in the early 18th century, when he built a wall around the city. Then during the reign of King Rajadi Rajasinghe in the late 18th century, the streets of Kandy city were straightened, as a result of which the old temple buildings were destroyed and a new temple was built at Umadadapota. This place is now known as Pahala Pansala (lower temple).

Among the historical monuments belonging to the Asgiri Maha Viharaya, a distinction is made between the Purana and Alut Viharaya (old and new temples). The old Purana Viharaya temple, built in 1768, houses a statue of a seated Buddha. The new Alut Viharaya Temple was built in 1801 and contains an 11-meter tall rock-hewn statue of a reclining Buddha.

Adahanamalyuwa Gedige Temple
(Adahanamaluwa Gedige)

The Adahanamalyuwa Gedige Temple is the second oldest monument in the city and is in the same architectural style as the Natha Devale and Gadaladeniya Vihara temples. According to legend, the Asgiriya temple was named after Chandravati, the queen mother of ruler Vikramabahu, who was cremated at the present cremation ground of Adahan Maluva.

One of the most important monuments located on the territory of Asgiri Maha Vihara is the Gedige Viharaya Temple in Adahana Maluva, which means “Royal Cremation Ground”. The temple had three levels: Uda Maluwa (upper terrace), Meda (central) and Palle (lower terrace). The cremation of the royal family members took place at Meda Maluwa and hence the temple was known as Adahanamaluwa Gedige Viharaya.

During the construction of the Matale railway between 1878 and 1880, a tunnel was built near Adahanamalyuwa and the last of the royal tombs was destroyed.

Lankatilaka Viharaya Temple
(Lankatilaka Vihara)

The temple is located 15 km from Kandy, in the city of Hiripitiya. The Lankatilaka Temple is a beautifully preserved example of traditional Sinhala architecture. Initially, the temple building included 4 floors (now 3), the total height of the building is about 80m.

The central features of the temple complex are the traditional Bo tree, the Maitreya Buddha statue, the Buddha's footprint and the Vihara Ge temple. On the western side there are 5 Devilai - five places of worship of deities: Upulvan or Vishnu (Upulvan), Saman (Saman), Vibhishana (Vibhishana), Ganapathi (Ganapathi) and Kumara Bandara (Kumara Bandara). God Kumara Bandara was considered the protector of the Lankatilaka temple.

The temple was founded in the 14th century, during the pre-colonial era of the Gampola Kingdom, by the Sinhalese king Buwanekabahu IV. King Buvanekabahu IV, who reigned in the mid-14th century, chose Gampola as his kingdom and built this temple with the help of South Indian architect Sthapati Rayar.

The five Sinhalese kings following Buvanekabahu IV also chose Gampola as their kingdom. Although the Gampola kings were not strong warriors, they made significant contributions to the art of Sri Lanka.

Embekka Devalaya Temple
(Embekka Devalaya/Embekke Temple)

Embekka is the name of the place, Devalaya is the place of worship. The temple is located on the Gampola road, 15 km from Kandy city and 10 km from Peradeniya.

The second name of the temple is Katharagama Deviyo, which served as a place of worship for the local deity Devatha Bandara.

The temple was built in the 14th century. Sinhalese king Vikramabahu III during the Gampola kingdom. Embekka Temple is considered one of the finest examples of the art of wood carving, with fine carvings decorating the entrance, doors and 32 pillars of the temple. To the left of Embekka Devalaya are the ruins of Ambalama, an ancient resting place for travelers, also built by King Vikramabahu III.

Gadaladeniya Raja Maha Vihara Temple
(Gadaladeniya Raja Maha Vihara)

The temple was founded in the 14th century, during the era of the Gampola Kingdom, by the Sinhalese king Buwanekabahu IV. The South Indian architect Ganesvarachari was invited to build the temple.

The main shrine of the temple is a statue of Buddha under the protection of Makara Thorana, surrounded by the gods Brahma, Suyama, Santhusuta, Natha and Buddha Maitreya.

Inside the shikhara (dome) there was previously a Buddha image, which was destroyed during the Portuguese conquest. Next to the shrine room is the Devalaya, dedicated to the god Vishnu. According to the great Sinhalese chronicle Mahavamsa, Upulvan Deiyo was founded here, thus Vishnu was chosen as the patron god to protect the land of Sri Lanka and Buddhism.

How to get to Kandy

To Kandy from Colombo Airport:

• by bus No. 1/245 Negombo-Kandy directly from the airport stop;
• by bus number 187 from the airport to Colombo (see below);
• by tuk-tuk to Negombo bus station, then by bus No. 1/245;

To Kandy from Colombo:

• by train, there are about 8 trains per day Colombo-Kandy;
• by bus number 1 Colombo-Kandy;
• by bus number 8 Colombo-Matali;
• by bus No. 79 Colombo-Nuwara Eliya;

To Kandy from the southwest coast:

• by bus No. 2, 32, 60 to Colombo, from Colombo by train or bus (see above);
• by train to Colombo, from Colombo by bus or train (see above);
• by bus number 17 from Panadura; No. 315/1 from Khorana;
• by bus number 10 from Kataragama;

To Kandy from the northeast coast:

• by bus number 45 Trincomalee-Kandy;
• by bus number 22 from Ampara.

Kandy Photos

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Weather in Kandy

Kandy, like its surrounding cities, is located above low-lying coastal areas, so average temperatures there are lower than on the coast. The average annual daytime temperature is +28C, nighttime +20C. Kandy is suitable for visiting almost all year round, but the driest period is from January to March, as well as July-August, during the traditional Perahera.

The wettest, rainiest months in Kandy are the periods under the influence of two rainy seasons, bringing precipitation to the city from the west and east coasts: April-May and October-November.

The city is usually chosen as one of the route points, heading further north - to Dambulla, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, or south - to the Central Highlands region.

History of Kandy

The first mention of the city dates back to the mid-16th century, during the reign of King Gampola Wickramabahu III. From 1527 to 1658, the Sinhalese-Portuguese War took place between the Sinhalese kingdom and Portuguese troops. As a result of this confrontation, by the end of the war, all Portuguese invaders were expelled from the island of Ceylon. Kandy became the capital of the last Sinhalese kingdom in 1592. The transfer of the capital was caused by the seizure of coastal lands by the Portuguese: due to the impassability of roads and the isolation of the mountainous part of the country, the new one was much safer than the previous capital, Kurunegala. The relic symbolizing royal power, the tooth of Buddha, was brought to Kandy by King Wimaladharmasuriya I, who brought it from the Delgamuwa Temple in Sabaragamuwa, the ruins of which have now disappeared.

In the period 1761-1766, the kingdom fought against the Dutch invaders, who by that time had already occupied the coast of the island. The Kingdom of Kandy tolerated the Dutch presence on the Sri Lankan coast, although clashes occurred from time to time. The most ambitious offensive was undertaken by the Kandyan kingdom in 1761, when King Kirti Sri Rajasinha attacked the Dutch and captured most of the coast, leaving only the heavily fortified city of Negombo to the Dutch.

When the Dutch punitive force returned to the island in 1763, Kirti Sri Rajasinha relinquished control of the coastline and withdrew troops inland. Then, in 1764, the Dutch continued their offensive, but their path ran through the jungle, they were haunted by disease, heat, and lack of provisions. The situation was aggravated by the fact that the Kandyan army, hiding in the jungle, inflicted serious damage on the Dutch army. The Dutch army suffered heavy losses and therefore the offensive was unsuccessful.

In January 1765, the Dutch army took measures to change battle tactics: they stocked up on provisions, changed their uniform to a more oriented one for jungle treks, and swapped bayonets for machetes. Thus, the Dutch reached the capital of the kingdom - Kandy, after which they discovered that the city was empty. The Sinhalese army retreated into the jungle, abandoning open combat, turning into a long war that exhausted the enemy, which had some success - despite all the preparation, the Dutch troops suffered significant losses. The war resulted in the signing of the Treaty of Batticaloa in 1766, according to which the coastal areas remained under Dutch control, a situation that remained so until 1796.

From 1796, the territories formerly under Dutch control (which belonged to France) came under the control of the British Empire under the Treaty during the French Revolutionary Wars, during which time Britain, due to the military losses of other European countries, became the foremost world power. British ownership of Ceylon was formalized in 1802 by the Treaty of Amiens. In 1803, the British Empire invaded Kandy, marking the beginning of the First Kandyan War, but the advance was repulsed by the kingdom's army.

The British made a second attempt to capture the Kandyan kingdom in 1815, starting the Second Kandyan War. The British launched an invasion, but did not encounter any serious resistance along the way and reached the capital of the kingdom of Kandy on February 10, 1815. The last king of Kandy, Sri Vikrama Rajasinha, with South Indian ancestry, as a result of his activities the king faced powerful opposition from the Sinhalese aristocracy of the Radalas, who sought to strengthen their own power. A successful coup and overthrow of the King of Kandy was organized by Sinhalese aristocrats in February 1815.

On March 2, 1815, the Kandyan Convention was signed between the Radalas aristocracy of Ceylon and the British. With this treaty, Ceylon accepted George III as its king and became a British colony. This was a unique treaty - it was not signed by the deposed king himself, but it was signed by dignitaries of various levels.

The last king of the kingdom, Sri Vikrama Rajasinha, was captured and imprisoned by the British, and subsequently exiled to Vellore Fort in southern India along with all claimants to the throne. Some of the family members were exiled to the city of Tanjore (now known as Thanjavur, in Tamil Nadu). The residence of the family of the last king of Kandy, located in the eastern part of the city, is still called "Kandy Raja Aranmanai".

In 1817-1818, the Great Rebellion took place in Uva, also called the Third Kandyan War. The uprising was brutally suppressed by the British. As a result of this uprising, the entire Sinhalese aristocracy was practically destroyed. During their reign, the British expropriated the land of the peasants, which actually led them to extreme poverty. Residents of Kandy were forced to abandon their traditional way of life, maintaining their own farms and becoming wage workers.

In the 1830s, the British brought coffee to the island and began building a railway. The working conditions of hired workers on the plantations were so terrible that the Kandyan peasants, despite their poverty, refused to slave labor for the British. This forced the British to bring hundreds of thousands of Tamil coolies (labourers) from South India to Ceylon. Tens of thousands of Tamils ​​died on the journey and then while working on the plantations. The British aristocracy constantly needed money, so more and more taxes were introduced, which became an unbearable burden for the population.

In 1848, the Matale Rebellion took place in Ceylon. The uprising began on July 26, 1848 in Dambulla with the blessing of the Buddhist monk Gongalegoda Banda, proclaimed the "uncrowned king", and Veera Puran Appu, proclaimed Prime Minister of Ceylon. Their main goal was to capture Kandy and gain independence from the British Empire. The instigators of the riot were caught, tried and deported to Malaysia.

The Matali Riot, or Great Rebellion, was the result of the predatory policy of Britain towards the population of colonial Ceylon, the rebels were mainly peasants and artisans, thus, for the first time in the history of Ceylon, the uprising was led by ordinary people, because The Sinhalese nobility were almost completely destroyed during the Uva uprising. The Matali uprising is considered the first step towards the transition of the anti-colonial uprising into the struggle for the independence of Ceylon from Britain.

In 1944, during World War II, the command of the Allied Army in Southeast Asia was transferred to Kandy, where it was based until the end of the war.

In 1998, terrorists from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) tried to drive into the Temple of the Tooth Relic in a truck filled with explosives; several people were killed and injured; the explosion did not cause significant damage to the temple.

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The picturesque town of Kandy is located right in the middle of Sri Lanka, 115 km northeast of Colombo, on the banks of the Mahaweli Ganga River, which makes Kandy's climate pleasant and fresh. The city is considered the cultural capital of the island nation and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The last capital of the ancient kings of Sri Lanka, Kandy preserved ancient traditions even during the time of British rule. Residents of the city are still proud of their heritage and highly respect Buddhist values.

In recent years, Kandy's cultural heritage has been somewhat modified by the influence of immigrants from other parts of the country. Locals are mourning the gradual disappearance of the image of the "honest Kandyan" as portrayed in colonial literature, and tourists are learning to take better care of their belongings. But, one way or another, Kandy is a peaceful and safe city compared to others on the island, and it maintains a noticeably lower crime rate.

In the center of the city there is an artificial lake, the creation of the last king of Kandy. And in its center, on a small island, stands the Summer Palace, where the king once kept his harem.

How to get there

From the capital of the country, Colombo, there are express trains to Kandy (first class must be booked in advance), taxis (journey time 3 hours, 10,000 LKR), minivans with driver (book at a travel agency) or air-conditioned buses.

Prices on the page are as of August 2018.

Search for flights to Colombo (the nearest airport to Kandy)

Shopping and shopping in Kandy

Kandy is a center of folk crafts, famous for its craftsmen. Masters of straw and bamboo weaving, silversmiths, and woodcarvers make (and sell) magnificent products here, some of the best in Sri Lanka.

Popular hotels in Kandy

Entertainment and attractions in Kandy

On the shore of the lake is Dalada Maligawa - the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. It is believed that the Tooth appeared on the island in 311 in the hair of Princess Hemamala. The city where the Tooth of Buddha was located was considered the state capital. When the Tooth arrived in Kandy in 1590, King Vilamaladarmasuriya I built a two-story temple on the grounds of the royal palace, where the relic was placed.

The Temple of the Tooth Relic is part of a huge complex of buildings: to the north of the temple there were the Royal Palace, the Queen's Palace, and the Audience Hall. To the east of the temple, on the border with the lake, is the bathhouse of Queen Ulpe Ge, converted into a library by the British (and now a police station).

Near Dalada Maligawa there are three Hindu temples dedicated to the gods Nata, Pattini (the goddess of chastity and health, popular among Buddhists) and Vishnu. Just a block away is Kataragama Devala, one of the city's most popular Hindu temples, dedicated to the god of war Skanda. Another prominent landmark of the city is the so-called Royal Pavilion at the foot of the mountains, built by the English governor in 1834. Currently, the pavilion is the official residence of the President of Sri Lanka in Kandy.

Since Kandy is the religious capital and center of Buddhism in the country, two of the main monasteries of the country are located here: Asgiriya and Malwatte.

Trekking

Trekking is the best way to see the real unique nature and culture of Kandy. There are many interesting routes around the city, such as the Asgiri Maha Viharaya Temple and Bahirawakande Hill. And also: trek to the Udawattakelle reserve, Lankathilake temple, along the Portuguese War road, Mount Alagalle, tea plantations and traditional villages.

In the east of Kandy, the temples of Gangaramaya, Galmaduwa and Degaldoruwa are worth visiting. And many other places: Ash and Nitre caves, Rathna waterfall, Sitakotuwa limestone cave, rice fields, Rantambe nature reserve and many other places.

Kandy, Sri Lanka: map, attractions, how to get there

The city of Kandy is located 107 km from Colombo International Airport and 222 km from the popular resort town of Galle, in the central part of the island. Kandy is the second largest city in the island nation of Sri Lanka, after Colombo, and the southern tip of the country's Cultural Triangle. Also, the city, until 1815, was the capital of the last independent kingdom of Kandy.

Kandy is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Sri Lanka. The city's most famous landmark is the Temple of the Tooth Relic (also called Sri Dalada Maligawa), recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Kandy hotels and guesthouses are predominantly located on the mountain slopes surrounding the man-made lake, with panoramic views of the city.

The city is part of the administrative region of Kandy and is the capital of the Central Province of the island, located on the shores of Lake Bogambara, at an altitude of 500 m above sea level. Kandy has a unique, special atmosphere, and its architecture only complements this impression. The specially designed wall of Walakulu Bamma, which means "wall of clouds" in Sinhalese, borders the Bogambara Lake embankment to give the impression of being framed by clouds.

The snow-white walls have triangular holes into which at night, now only on holidays, small oil lamps are inserted, used not only for decorative purposes, but also to illuminate the streets.

The Valakulu Walls project was not completed because... The kingdom of Kandy fell under the pressure of the British conquerors. The river flowing through the city is called Mahaveli Ganga. Mahaweli Ganga is the longest river in Sri Lanka.

Map of Kandy, Sri Lanka

Kandy city name

The exact origin of the name is unknown, but it is believed that the city of Kandy was previously called the "Prosperous Capital of Senkadagala" (Senkadagala Siriwardhana Maha Nuwara), this name was shortened over time to Maha Nuwara (great city/capital). Moreover, in Sri Lanka at the moment the name Maha Nuwara is actively used; it can often be found in transport schedules.

There is, and has even been historically established, another version of the origin of the name “Kandy” since the time of colonization: according to this version, it comes from the words Kanda Uda Pas Rata, which translated from Sinhalese means “country on the mountain.”

Sights of Kandy

Temple of the Tooth Relic / Sri Dalada Maligawa
(Sri Dalada Maligawa)

The temple, located on the shore of the lake, in close proximity to the royal palace, is considered one of the most important places of worship for Buddhists around the world, because one of the two surviving relics is kept there - the Tooth of Buddha. The second is kept at Somavathi Chetiya in the suburbs of Polonnaruwa. The Temple of the Tooth Relic was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988.

Kandy was the capital of the kingdom of the same name from 1592 to 1815. The Sri Dalada Maligawa Temple, built in the 16th century by King Wimaladharmasuriya I, was built specifically to store the relic in Kandy. The king transported the relic from the temple in Delgamuwa, where it was previously kept. At the beginning of the 18th century, the temple was restored.

The temple building was rebuilt several times; the last Kandyan king, Wickrama Rajasinghe, erected an octagon to house the shrine - Octagon / Pattiripuwa, which is located, although on the palace grounds, but is part of the temple.

The entrance to the temple is through Maha Vahalkadda, the entrance has two sides: the outer Valakullu Bamma (wall of clouds) and Diyarelli Bamma (wall of water ripples). After passing Vahalkada and the moat, there is the Ambarawa tunnel. Walking along it, you will find yourself on the first floor of the temple complex. The bottom floor of the building is called Pallemaluwa. This inner room has a large wooden door and is decorated with bronze and ivory. The area in front of the door is called Hevisi Mandapaya (court of the drummers), where daily rituals are performed.

The relic is kept on the top floor of the temple in a chamber called Wadahitina Maligawa. The door of this room is covered with gold, silver and ivory. The tooth is enclosed in seven gold boxes, nested one inside the other, and decorated with precious stones. The outer casket is decorated with precious stones presented to the relic by various rulers. Almost no one has seen the relic itself, with the exception of British explorers and the ruling monarchs of Ceylon.

In the 20th century, the Temple of the Tooth Relic was attacked by LTTE terrorists on January 25, 1998, when the terrorists detonated a bomb, killing 8 people. The explosion damaged many buildings located near the temple, but the relic itself survived and did not suffer any damage.

The Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy is open daily from 5:30 to 20:00. Services (Thevava) are held daily, three times a day: 5:30-7:00, 9:30 - 11:00 and 18:30 - 20:00. The temple also hosts the Saffaron water festival every week on Wednesdays.

Every year the Temple of the Tooth Relic takes part in 6 festivals (perahera):

• January: Aluth Shal Mangallaya - New Harvest Festival (Aluth Shal Mangallaya);
• April: New Year festival for Sinhala and Tamil New Year (Sinhala & Tamil New Year);
• May: Vesak Perahera & Upasampada Ceremony on the birthday, enlightenment and departure of the Buddha into paranirvana (Vesak Perahera & Upasampada Ceremony);
• June: Poson Perahera;
• July - August: Kandy Esala Perahera;
• November: Festival of Lights (Karthik Festival).

Old Royal Palace of Kandy
(Old Kandy Royal Palace)

The remains of buildings seen today at the Royal Palace of Kandy are the residence of the last king of the Kingdom of Kandy, Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe (1797 - 1814). The original palace building was burned and destroyed several times throughout its history and was rebuilt and rebuilt by subsequent kings. Today the former royal chambers are used as district courts.

The first building of the palace was built by King Wickramabahu III, the ruler of the Gampola Kingdom in the 14th century, then it passed to Senasamata Wickramabahu in the 15th century, after which the palace was owned by Vimaladharmasuriya I in the 16th century. Each of them carried out various modifications and expansions of the existing palace.

During the reign of King Senarat, in the early 17th century, the Portuguese attacked the kingdom of Kandy and destroyed the palace. King Rajasinghe II restored the palace in the mid-17th century and it was used as his Royal Palace by subsequent Sinhala kings until 1815, when the kingdom became a British colony. By the end of the reign of the last king of the independent kingdom of Kandy, Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe in the 18th century, the palace already consisted of many buildings.

After the British invasion, the palace was used as a location for government offices. Today, all that remains of the old royal palace is the entrance, located to the left of the Temple of the Tooth Relic. This building currently houses the Museum of the Department of Archeology.

Assembly Hall Magul Maduwa
(Magul Maduwa/Audience Hall)

The assembly hall of Magul Maduwa is also called Magul Naduwa (high court), the building was so named because the kings of Kandy used it to hold courts.

The Assembly Hall was built in 1783 by King Rajadi Rajasinghe, the Magul Maduwa building bears witness to many historical events. This place is considered to be the hall where the missionaries carried out "the most terrible cruelties."

Thus, in the Assembly Hall, documents were signed on the transfer of power over the last independent Sinhala kingdom of Kandy to Great Britain in 1815, and documents were also drawn up here on giving the death penalty to participants in counter-colonial patriotic uprisings. After the handover of rule to the British, the Assembly Hall, where the royal courts were previously held, was converted into a church. Services began to be held in Magul Maduwa and sermons were read.

The original Assembly Hall building that we see today was rebuilt and expanded by the British to host the Prince of Wales in 1875.

To expand the building, 32 carved wooden columns were taken from the Palais Wahale building (now the premises of the National Museum) and replaced with brick pillars. Of these 32 pillars, 16 were used to expand Magul Maduwa: 8 pillars were installed on each side of the building, the old supports were replaced with new wooden bases. The building now has two rows of exquisitely carved pillars, each row containing 32 pillars, on these pillars is installed a roof made in the Kandyan style.

Coffee Planters Fountain
(Coffee Planters Fountain)

Before tea became the country's main export product, Ceylon was one of the largest coffee producers in the world. Coffee production reached its peak by 1870, at which time coffee plantations in Ceylon occupied more than 110,000 hectares.

When the Prince of Wales announced his intention to visit Ceylon, the coffee planters built a fountain to mark the occasion. The bowl of the fountain is shaped like a coffee flower, it was manufactured in a factory in Glasgow and imported to Ceylon in parts.

The Coffee Planters Fountain was assembled in Kandy and first launched for the Prince of Wales in 1873. After this, the fountain was not rebuilt and has reached us in its original form.

Lake Bogambara / Kiri Mukhuda
(Bogambara Lake/Kiri Muhuda)

The city of Kandy is located on the shores of the artificial mountain lake Bogambara, at an altitude of 500 m above sea level. The decorative lake was dug in 1807 on the site of a rice field by the Sinhalese king Wickrama Rajasinghe. To preserve the decorative beauty of the lake, the local population was prohibited from fishing in it.

The second name of the lake is “Kiri muhuda”, it is translated from Sinhala as “Sea of ​​Milk”. In the middle of Lake Bogambara, on an island, there is a Royal Summer House.

The king's ministers advised the king to take up more practical projects instead of building a lake, because... the resources of the kingdom of Kandy by this time were already depleted by the confrontation with Britain. However, the king did not heed the advice of the ministers and the project was implemented, and a few years later, the kingdom, due to the short-sighted and irrational policy of the king, was captured by the British colonialists.

Sri Dalada Museum
(Sri Dalada Museum)

The Sri Dalada Museum is located on the grounds of the royal palace, on the upper floors of the Alut Maligawa building. The Sri Dalada Museum occupies the top two floors.

The museum's exhibition includes many different gifts made to the Temple of the Tooth Relic, antique letters from colonial times, ceremonial objects, statues of Sinhala kings, archaeological excavations and much more. The museum is open from Saturday to Thursday from 09:00 to 17:00, Friday is a day off.

Royal Baths of Ulpange
(Ulpange/Royal Bathhouse)

The Royal Baths are part of the palace complex of the King of the Kandyan Kingdom, Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe.

The baths consist of two parts: one is located on land, near the Temple of the Tooth Relic, the second part is on the water, in the waters of Lake Bogambara.

On the opposite side of the road from the Temple of the Tooth Relic, the Royal Bathhouse, used by the king's wives and concubines, is located. A second floor was added to the baths during British rule and the room was converted into a library and currently houses the police headquarters.

International Museum of Buddhism
(International Buddhist Museum)

The International Museum of Buddhism is located on the territory of the palace complex. The museum's collection contains statues and images of Buddha, models of Buddhist temples from around the world.

The museum's exposition allows one to clearly demonstrate the spread of Buddhist traditions in Asia and around the world. The museum is interesting to visit with children; it gives a general idea of ​​the subject, clearly demonstrating the differences.

Photography is prohibited at the International Museum of Buddhism. Entrance to the museum: 500 rupees. Opening hours: 9.00-20.00.

Hindu temples - four Devalayas
(Maha Vishnu, Natha, Paththini, Khaali Devalaya)

Four Hindu temples are dedicated to the gods Vishnu and Natha, and the goddesses Pattini and Kali. The temples are located on the territory of Sri Dalada Maligawa, in close proximity to the Buddhist Temple of the Tooth Relic.

The Vishnu Devalaya Temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu, located north of Nata Devalaya. Natha Devalaya is dedicated to the Hindu god Natha.

Pattini Devalaya is dedicated to Goddess Pattini, who is consulted for relief from various childhood and infectious diseases, as well as to appease her during times of drought. Pattini Devalaya is one of the objects of the festive Perahera.

Hindu temple Kataragama Devalaya
(Kataragama Devalaya)

The temple is located outside the territory of Sri Dalada Maligawa, on Kotugodella st. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Kataragama, also known as Murugan, Arumugam, Kandasamy, Sabramaniam.

According to Tamil beliefs, the god Skanda arrived in Sri Lanka after a violent quarrel with his wife Thevani, and there he took as his wife a sixteen-year-old concubine from the southern region of Sri Lanka - from Kataragama.

Malvathu Maha Viharaya Temple and Monastery
(Malwathu Maha Viharaya)

The temple complex is located in the city, on the southern side of Lake Bogambara, on Saranankara Mawatha Road. There are two temples on the territory of the complex: Malwathu Maha Viharaya (also called Pushparama Viharaya), and Sirimalwaththa Temple, also called Poyamalu Viharaya.

The Poyamalu Viharaya Temple was built in the early 16th century. Sinhalese king Senasammata Vikramabahu. According to the chronicles, the king built another 86 monasteries for monks from the Malwathu and Asgiri Viharaya monastic brotherhoods. Initially, the monastery was built for only three monks.

The Malwatu Maha Viharaya Temple is one of the two main temples of the Theravardin Buddhist monastic community of the Siam Nikaya order. Currently, the Malvathu Maha Viharaya temple complex serves as a meeting place for the Sangha and also attracts thousands of tourists every year.

Udawattakele Nature Reserve
(Udawattakele Sanctuary)

Udvavttakele Nature Reserve, or as it is also called Royal Forest Park, is located on the hillside behind the Sri Dalada Maligawa complex. During the reign of the Sinhala kings, visiting Udavattakele was prohibited for the local population.

After the fall of the Kandy kingdom, the condition of the forests in the area began to deteriorate sharply, and deforestation began. The territory became a nature reserve in 1856, then in 1938 the territory was included in the list of objects protected by the state.

The reserve contains a pond, the highest peak Kodimale, the Senkanda cave, and the Garrison cemetery, several Buddhist temples and hermitages. Also in the Udawattakele Nature Reserve there is a giant vine, 200-300 years old, called "Pus Wela" or "Entada pusaetha".

Kandy/Ismail Clock Tower
(Kandy/Ismail Clock Tower)

The history of the Kandy Clock Tower, also called the Ismail Clock Tower, is quite tragic: in August 1947, the city of Kandy experienced severe flooding, causing numerous landslides in the area. The bridge over the Mahaweli River at the Royal Botanic Gardens of Peradeniya was completely submerged under water.

Haji Mohamed Ismail during this period owned a company importing British cars to Ceylon. One day on August 14, 1947, Ismail's son, Mohamed Zakki Ismail, traveled from Colombo to Kandy by car with his brother-in-law, friend and driver. In Kadugannawa, a car was buried in a landslide and all four occupants died.

For Mohamed Ismail, the only consolation was creating a memorial for his son. He learned that the city of Kandy needed a clock tower. The municipality of Kandy at that time had already acquired the land on which the clock tower is now installed, and Ismail paid for its development and construction. The design of the clock tower is made in the Kandyan style. All equipment needed for the project was brought from the UK. Construction of the Kandy Clock Tower was completed on December 23, 1950.

Temple with Buddha statue Bahirawa Kanda
(Bahirawa Kanda Buddha Statue)

The huge Buddha statue sitting on a hill is visible from anywhere in Kandy. Bahirawa Kanda Temple is located 2 km from Kandy. The name "Bahirava Kanda" translates as "mountain spirits".

According to the first legend, Bahirava Devalaya was located on the top of Bahirava Kanda. According to legend, hundreds of beautiful girls were sacrificed to Bahirawa Deviyo in this place. These temples flourished during the time of the Nayakkar kings. One day, the bride of one of the royal commanders, who controlled the king's elephants, was sentenced to be sacrificed in the Bahirava Puja ceremony, but he intervened and freed his bride. This marked the end of the practice of the Bahirava Puja sacrifice ceremony, and the Bahirava Devalaya temple itself was destroyed over time.

According to the second legend, during the time of the Kingdom of Kandy, a terrible roar began to be heard every day from the mountain where Bahirawa Kanda is now located, frightening the inhabitants of the city. The people decided that this was the work of the evil spirit of the mountains, demanding a sacrifice to be made to him, then they turned to the king, but he did not know what to do. His minister came to the king and advised him to appease the evil spirit of the mountains by annually sacrificing a beautiful virgin to him. The minister did this because he himself was also an evil spirit, and the king ordered a sacrifice and the bride of the minister’s son was chosen as the victim. At night, the girl was taken to the mountain and left there, but her fiance came for her and saved her, fighting with the evil mountain spirit. After saving the bride, the minister's son made the same sound that the people heard every day from the mountain, and they thought that the sacrifice had been accepted. That same night the couple fled the city.

What to see around Kandy

Royal Botanic Gardens Peradeniya
(Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya)

The Royal Botanical Garden is located 6 km from Kandy in the city of Peradeniya. The Botanical Garden of Sri Lanka occupies an area of ​​about 60 hectares, its collection includes more than 4,700 species of plants, including rare orchids, spices, medicinal plants, royal palms, banyan trees, etc.

Peradeniya is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Sri Lanka, with more than 2 million people visiting it every year.

The Botanical Garden is open year-round, daily from 8.00 to 17.30, tickets are sold until 17:00.

Temples of Asgiri Maha Viharaya
(Asgiri Maha Viharaya)

North of Lake Bogambara is the ancient Buddhist temple complex of Asgiri Maha Viharaya. The temple complex was founded by Siriwardana, the commander of the royal army, on behalf of the monarch of the Kurunegala kingdom, Parakramabahu IV, in the early 14th century.

Initially, the temple building was created as a monastic training center for the residence and training of monks. The first monks to settle in Asgiri Viharaya were monks from the Valasgala hermitage in Japahuwa. According to legend, the name "Asgiri" is formed by translating the name "Valasgala" into Pali as "Acchagiri".

The first reconstruction of the buildings took place during the reign of King Vimaladharmasuriya II in the early 18th century, when he built a wall around the city. Then during the reign of King Rajadi Rajasinghe in the late 18th century, the streets of Kandy city were straightened, as a result of which the old temple buildings were destroyed and a new temple was built at Umadadapota. This place is now known as Pahala Pansala (lower temple).

Among the historical monuments belonging to the Asgiri Maha Viharaya, a distinction is made between the Purana and Alut Viharaya (old and new temples). The old Purana Viharaya temple, built in 1768, houses a statue of a seated Buddha. The new Alut Viharaya Temple was built in 1801 and contains an 11-meter tall rock-hewn statue of a reclining Buddha.

Adahanamalyuwa Gedige Temple
(Adahanamaluwa Gedige)

The Adahanamalyuwa Gedige Temple is the second oldest monument in the city and is in the same architectural style as the Natha Devale and Gadaladeniya Vihara temples. According to legend, the Asgiriya temple was named after Chandravati, the queen mother of ruler Vikramabahu, who was cremated at the present cremation ground of Adahan Maluva.

One of the most important monuments located on the territory of Asgiri Maha Vihara is the Gedige Viharaya Temple in Adahana Maluva, which means “Royal Cremation Ground”. The temple had three levels: Uda Maluwa (upper terrace), Meda (central) and Palle (lower terrace). The cremation of the royal family members took place at Meda Maluwa and hence the temple was known as Adahanamaluwa Gedige Viharaya.

During the construction of the Matale railway between 1878 and 1880, a tunnel was built near Adahanamalyuwa and the last of the royal tombs was destroyed.

Lankatilaka Viharaya Temple
(Lankatilaka Vihara)

The temple is located 15 km from Kandy, in the city of Hiripitiya. The Lankatilaka Temple is a beautifully preserved example of traditional Sinhala architecture. Initially, the temple building included 4 floors (now 3), the total height of the building is about 80m.

The central features of the temple complex are the traditional Bo tree, the Maitreya Buddha statue, the Buddha's footprint and the Vihara Ge temple. On the western side there are 5 Devilai - five places of worship of deities: Upulvan or Vishnu (Upulvan), Saman (Saman), Vibhishana (Vibhishana), Ganapathi (Ganapathi) and Kumara Bandara (Kumara Bandara). God Kumara Bandara was considered the protector of the Lankatilaka temple.

The temple was founded in the 14th century, during the pre-colonial era of the Gampola Kingdom, by the Sinhalese king Buwanekabahu IV. King Buvanekabahu IV, who reigned in the mid-14th century, chose Gampola as his kingdom and built this temple with the help of South Indian architect Sthapati Rayar.

The five Sinhalese kings following Buvanekabahu IV also chose Gampola as their kingdom. Although the Gampola kings were not strong warriors, they made significant contributions to the art of Sri Lanka.

Embekka Devalaya Temple
(Embekka Devalaya/Embekke Temple)

Embekka is the name of the place, Devalaya is the place of worship. The temple is located on the Gampola road, 15 km from Kandy city and 10 km from Peradeniya.

The second name of the temple is Katharagama Deviyo, which served as a place of worship for the local deity Devatha Bandara.

The temple was built in the 14th century. Sinhalese king Vikramabahu III during the Gampola kingdom. Embekka Temple is considered one of the finest examples of the art of wood carving, with fine carvings decorating the entrance, doors and 32 pillars of the temple. To the left of Embekka Devalaya are the ruins of Ambalama, an ancient resting place for travelers, also built by King Vikramabahu III.

Gadaladeniya Raja Maha Vihara Temple
(Gadaladeniya Raja Maha Vihara)

The temple was founded in the 14th century, during the era of the Gampola Kingdom, by the Sinhalese king Buwanekabahu IV. The South Indian architect Ganesvarachari was invited to build the temple.

The main shrine of the temple is a statue of Buddha under the protection of Makara Thorana, surrounded by the gods Brahma, Suyama, Santhusuta, Natha and Buddha Maitreya.

Inside the shikhara (dome) there was previously a Buddha image, which was destroyed during the Portuguese conquest. Next to the shrine room is the Devalaya, dedicated to the god Vishnu. According to the great Sinhalese chronicle Mahavamsa, Upulvan Deiyo was founded here, thus Vishnu was chosen as the patron god to protect the land of Sri Lanka and Buddhism.

How to get to Kandy

To Kandy from Colombo Airport:

• by bus No. 1/245 Negombo-Kandy directly from the airport stop;
• by bus number 187 from the airport to Colombo (see below);
• by tuk-tuk to Negombo bus station, then by bus No. 1/245;

To Kandy from Colombo:

• by train, there are about 8 trains per day Colombo-Kandy;
• by bus number 1 Colombo-Kandy;
• by bus number 8 Colombo-Matali;
• by bus No. 79 Colombo-Nuwara Eliya;

To Kandy from the southwest coast:

• by bus No. 2, 32, 60 to Colombo, from Colombo by train or bus (see above);
• by train to Colombo, from Colombo by bus or train (see above);
• by bus number 17 from Panadura; No. 315/1 from Khorana;
• by bus number 10 from Kataragama;

To Kandy from the northeast coast:

• by bus number 45 Trincomalee-Kandy;
• by bus number 22 from Ampara.

Kandy Photos

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Weather in Kandy

Kandy, like its surrounding cities, is located above low-lying coastal areas, so average temperatures there are lower than on the coast. The average annual daytime temperature is +28C, nighttime +20C. Kandy is suitable for visiting almost all year round, but the driest period is from January to March, as well as July-August, during the traditional Perahera.

The wettest, rainiest months in Kandy are the periods under the influence of two rainy seasons, bringing precipitation to the city from the west and east coasts: April-May and October-November.

The city is usually chosen as one of the route points, heading further north - to Dambulla, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, or south - to the Central Highlands region.

History of Kandy

The first mention of the city dates back to the mid-16th century, during the reign of King Gampola Wickramabahu III. From 1527 to 1658, the Sinhalese-Portuguese War took place between the Sinhalese kingdom and Portuguese troops. As a result of this confrontation, by the end of the war, all Portuguese invaders were expelled from the island of Ceylon. Kandy became the capital of the last Sinhalese kingdom in 1592. The transfer of the capital was caused by the seizure of coastal lands by the Portuguese: due to the impassability of roads and the isolation of the mountainous part of the country, the new one was much safer than the previous capital, Kurunegala. The relic symbolizing royal power, the tooth of Buddha, was brought to Kandy by King Wimaladharmasuriya I, who brought it from the Delgamuwa Temple in Sabaragamuwa, the ruins of which have now disappeared.

In the period 1761-1766, the kingdom fought against the Dutch invaders, who by that time had already occupied the coast of the island. The Kingdom of Kandy tolerated the Dutch presence on the Sri Lankan coast, although clashes occurred from time to time. The most ambitious offensive was undertaken by the Kandyan kingdom in 1761, when King Kirti Sri Rajasinha attacked the Dutch and captured most of the coast, leaving only the heavily fortified city of Negombo to the Dutch.

When the Dutch punitive force returned to the island in 1763, Kirti Sri Rajasinha relinquished control of the coastline and withdrew troops inland. Then, in 1764, the Dutch continued their offensive, but their path ran through the jungle, they were haunted by disease, heat, and lack of provisions. The situation was aggravated by the fact that the Kandyan army, hiding in the jungle, inflicted serious damage on the Dutch army. The Dutch army suffered heavy losses and therefore the offensive was unsuccessful.

In January 1765, the Dutch army took measures to change battle tactics: they stocked up on provisions, changed their uniform to a more oriented one for jungle treks, and swapped bayonets for machetes. Thus, the Dutch reached the capital of the kingdom - Kandy, after which they discovered that the city was empty. The Sinhalese army retreated into the jungle, abandoning open combat, turning into a long war that exhausted the enemy, which had some success - despite all the preparation, the Dutch troops suffered significant losses. The war resulted in the signing of the Treaty of Batticaloa in 1766, according to which the coastal areas remained under Dutch control, a situation that remained so until 1796.

From 1796, the territories formerly under Dutch control (which belonged to France) came under the control of the British Empire under the Treaty during the French Revolutionary Wars, during which time Britain, due to the military losses of other European countries, became the foremost world power. British ownership of Ceylon was formalized in 1802 by the Treaty of Amiens. In 1803, the British Empire invaded Kandy, marking the beginning of the First Kandyan War, but the advance was repulsed by the kingdom's army.

The British made a second attempt to capture the Kandyan kingdom in 1815, starting the Second Kandyan War. The British launched an invasion, but did not encounter any serious resistance along the way and reached the capital of the kingdom of Kandy on February 10, 1815. The last king of Kandy, Sri Vikrama Rajasinha, with South Indian ancestry, as a result of his activities the king faced powerful opposition from the Sinhalese aristocracy of the Radalas, who sought to strengthen their own power. A successful coup and overthrow of the King of Kandy was organized by Sinhalese aristocrats in February 1815.

On March 2, 1815, the Kandyan Convention was signed between the Radalas aristocracy of Ceylon and the British. With this treaty, Ceylon accepted George III as its king and became a British colony. This was a unique treaty - it was not signed by the deposed king himself, but it was signed by dignitaries of various levels.

The last king of the kingdom, Sri Vikrama Rajasinha, was captured and imprisoned by the British, and subsequently exiled to Vellore Fort in southern India along with all claimants to the throne. Some of the family members were exiled to the city of Tanjore (now known as Thanjavur, in Tamil Nadu). The residence of the family of the last king of Kandy, located in the eastern part of the city, is still called "Kandy Raja Aranmanai".

In 1817-1818, the Great Rebellion took place in Uva, also called the Third Kandyan War. The uprising was brutally suppressed by the British. As a result of this uprising, the entire Sinhalese aristocracy was practically destroyed. During their reign, the British expropriated the land of the peasants, which actually led them to extreme poverty. Residents of Kandy were forced to abandon their traditional way of life, maintaining their own farms and becoming wage workers.

In the 1830s, the British brought coffee to the island and began building a railway. The working conditions of hired workers on the plantations were so terrible that the Kandyan peasants, despite their poverty, refused to slave labor for the British. This forced the British to bring hundreds of thousands of Tamil coolies (labourers) from South India to Ceylon. Tens of thousands of Tamils ​​died on the journey and then while working on the plantations. The British aristocracy constantly needed money, so more and more taxes were introduced, which became an unbearable burden for the population.

In 1848, the Matale Rebellion took place in Ceylon. The uprising began on July 26, 1848 in Dambulla with the blessing of the Buddhist monk Gongalegoda Banda, proclaimed the "uncrowned king", and Veera Puran Appu, proclaimed Prime Minister of Ceylon. Their main goal was to capture Kandy and gain independence from the British Empire. The instigators of the riot were caught, tried and deported to Malaysia.

The Matali Riot, or Great Rebellion, was the result of the predatory policy of Britain towards the population of colonial Ceylon, the rebels were mainly peasants and artisans, thus, for the first time in the history of Ceylon, the uprising was led by ordinary people, because The Sinhalese nobility were almost completely destroyed during the Uva uprising. The Matali uprising is considered the first step towards the transition of the anti-colonial uprising into the struggle for the independence of Ceylon from Britain.

In 1944, during World War II, the command of the Allied Army in Southeast Asia was transferred to Kandy, where it was based until the end of the war.

In 1998, terrorists from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) tried to drive into the Temple of the Tooth Relic in a truck filled with explosives; several people were killed and injured; the explosion did not cause significant damage to the temple.