Kandy Facts
- Country: Siri Lanka
- Region: South of Siri Lanka
- Area:10.42 sq miles
- Major Attractions: Dambulla Cave Temple, The Temple of the Tooth Relic, Kandy Lake, Royal Botanical Gardens, Kandy National Museum
- Recommended tour for you: 9 Days Amazing Sri Lanka Budget Tour
Kandy is the second-largest city in Siri Lanka, and it's also the administrative and religious center in history. Kandy city was built in the 14th century, located in the middle south of Sri Lanka, 120 kilometers northeast of the capital Colombo. The city is surrounded by mountains with rare plant species. In 1998, UNESCO listed the Kandy city as a cultural heritage in the "World Heritage List."
The Singalese's ancestors ruled the city for more than 2,000 years. The ancient Kandy city is known as a Buddhist shrine. Before being conquered by the British in 1815, it enjoyed a cultural prosperity history of more than 2500 years. The Temple of Tooth Relic in Kandy is a famous historical building and a pilgrimage place for Buddhists.
History of Kandy
In the 6th century BC, Indo-European speakers invaded Sri Lanka from the Ganges Valley. The ancestors of the Singalese ruled the island for more than 2,000 years. From the 3rd century BC, Sri Lanka has gradually evolved into a single Indian Buddhism country and will continue to develop in this direction. In the 4th century, the symbol of Sacred Relic, which is often closely connected with faith, was ushered to Sri Lanka. Since then, the Royal Palace and the Temple of Tooth Relic have been closely linked to the administrative and religious functions of Sri Lanka.
From the 4th century BC, Anuradhapura was the capital of the country until it was replaced by Polonnaruwa in the 8th century AD. In the 13th century AD Polonnaruwa ended its status as the capital. From 1592 to the 19th century, Kandy was the capital of Sri Lanka. Kandy has since become the site of the Royal Palace and the Temple of Tooth Relic. Although Portugal once occupied it in the 16th century and the Netherlands in the 17th century, Kandy remained independent until it was finally conquered by the British in 1815. Since then, Kandy retains its status as the religious center of Sri Lanka and is a place of pilgrimage for some primitive Buddhists.
Tourism of Kandy
Kandy, Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura are called the cultural triangle. Kandy is still known as the religious center of Sri Lanka due to its abundance of precious Buddhist relics, and it is a pilgrimage site for some primitive Buddhists. The city is located on the mountain, which is 500 meters above sea level, with many rare plants, a warm and humid climate, beautiful scenery, and a large number of historical sites, always attracting a large number of tourists to visit.
► Best Time to visit
The best time to visit Kandy is from November to February, with less rainy and lower heat.
► Best Place to visit
Dambulla Cave Temple, built in the first and second centuries, is located on a rocky mountain in the south of the city of Dambulla, also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla. The temple is the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka, and has a history of more than 2,000 years and has attracted pilgrims for thousands of years with its exquisite murals and stone sculptures.
The rock where the cave is located is higher than the surrounding plain, reaching a height of 160 meters, of which more than 80 caves have been discovered and recorded. The main attractions are located in five caves with Buddha statues and paintings of the Buddha and his life. In 1991, UNESCO designated the Golden Temple of Dambulla as a World Cultural Heritage Site.
The Temple of the Tooth Relic is a famous Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka, and it was built in 1595. Located on the bank of Kandy Lake, the temple is famous for its offerings of Sakyamuni's tooth relic, which is known as the national treasure of Sri Lanka. It's also a place of pilgrimage for Buddhists.
Kandy Lake is a huge artificial lake dug from a paddy field. It is located in the city of Kandy in the central part of Sri Lanka. It is also one of the most famous tourist attractions in the city. There are many beautiful legends about Kandy Lake, which add many mysterious colors to this beautiful lake. The scenery on Kandy Lake is beautiful, and the lake is covered with tropical flowers and trees. The trees are lush and constitute a natural pergola. All kinds of flowers are blooming and blooming, and there is a flat avenue around the lake. The Temple of the Tooth Relic is also located beside Kandy Lake.
The Royal Botanic Gardens is the largest botanical garden in Asia, covering more than 60 hectares. Founded in 1371, it was once the royal garden of King Kandy. Today, the garden has a collection of more than 4,000 natives and imported Siri Lankan plants, including some rare and precious tropical plants. The tropical sun of the equator and the Mediterranean climate of the Kandy region make the botanical garden spring all the year round, with plants and flowers blooming everywhere.
The Kandy National Museum is located next to the Temple of the Tooth Relic, part of the former imperial palace. The Kandy National Museum features fine art from the 16th to 19th centuries, which are on display in the Palle Vahala's palace, which includes statues of Buddha, crowns, aristocratic figures and wood carvings, as well as British colonial artifacts. In addition to the religious exhibits, many artifacts that have witnessed the history of Sri Lanka from the 16th century to the 19th century, which is a good window into the Lanka culture.
Festival of Kandy
The Festival of the Sacred Tooth is one of the most significant Buddhism festivals in Siri Lanka. It is an activity that places the Buddha's Tooth relic Pagoda on the back of an elephant, and travels around the city to let people share the glory of Buddha's Tooth. The Festival of the Sacred Tooth is held in Kandy every year, from Aug07-Aug15. It is a tribute to Sakyamuni's tooth relic, which is enshrined in the Temple of Tooth Relic.
There is also a moving story about the Buddha tooth relics spreading to Sri Lanka. Legend has it that the Buddha was cremated after nirvana, his relics were distributed to rulers in various places, and sacrificed in the mountains of northern India. The Buddha Tooth Relic was secretly taken to Sri Lanka after it's sacrificed for eight centuries in India. The Buddha Tooth Relic was hidden in a hairstyle elaborately designed by the Indian princess. It traveled thousands of miles and finally arrived in Siri Lanka, stored in the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy City.
At the annual festival of the Sacred Tooth, the most gorgeously decorated leading elephant is decorated with delicate edging fabrics from nose to toe, and a huge canopy is carried on the back. Under the canopy is the top priority of the whole celebration: collecting copies of the Buddha Tooth Box. On the way, they were covered with white carpets, followed by two rows of Kandy dancers and drummers in colorful traditional costumes to show respect.
The rulers of Sri Lankan (whether king or queen) worship the Buddha's tooth relic and pray every day. So far, people pay tribute to the sacred Buddha's tooth relic with dancing and drumming every morning and evening. The annual Festival of the Sacred Tooth will attract tourists from all over the world.
Transportations of Kandy
Airport
There is only one airport in Katugastotta Airport (KDZ), Kandy.
Railway Station
Kandy train station is located in the city center. Train tickets cannot be bought one day in advance, but can only be purchased one hour in advance.
Public bus
The public bus has two types: with the air conditioner or without the air conditioner. Kandy is the transport hub of Sri Lanka, and the visitors could find the bus easily to go to the scenic spot or nearby city.
Tuk-Tuk
Tuk Tuk is a mechanized three-wheeled taxi that can transport you to everywhere in the city. Generally speaking, tuk-tuk is about 30% cheaper than a taxi. It is better to bargain with the driver before getting on.
Travel Tips of Kandy
♦ There are many local tutu, train, bus, so the air quality is not good, especially on the road, so it is recommended to wear a mask to prevent car exhaust.
♦ The appearance of the old star hotel is very luxurious, but the internal equipment is relatively old. Accommodation can also choose a clean and tidy B&B.
♦ The service speed of the restaurant is very slow, and if you have a meal, you'd better go to the restaurant to order food in advance, don't wait until you are starving.
♦ Whether it is a train or a car, the speed of travel is relatively slow, especially when the train is often late, it's better to reserve enough time to arrange the trip.
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