Tour To Kandy

The last bastion of the Sinhalese Kings, Kandy has been the religious & cultural pulse of Sri Lanka for centuries. This royal city, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage in the world. Blessed with the bounty of pleasant climate and lush tropical abundance, Kandy is certainly a favorite with the global travelers.

Major Attractions in Kandy

Dalada Maligawa or Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
This beautiful temple, glowing in its opulence of gold & moonstone, is located in the royal palace complex of the former Kandyan Kings. The imposing structure surrounded by a moat, enshrines the sacred tooth of Lord Buddha and is one most the most venerated Buddhist shrines in the world. The temple is a marvel of architecture and is visited by Buddhists across the world.

Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya
Spread over an area of 147 acres and housing over 4,000 different species of plant & around 10,000 full grown trees, Royal Botanical Gardens are a favorite spot for travelers in Kandy. A  century-old Giant Fig Tree from Java, the Giant Bamboo of Burma, the intriguing Cannonball Tree aptly named for its huge fruits and the Double Palm Tree from Seychelles are some of the major highlights of the gardens.

Kandy Lake
Located right next to the Temple of Tooth Relic, the striking Kandy Lake is certainly a majestic sight. Built in 1807 by King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe, various legends & folklores are connected to the lake. As per a legend, the island on the lake was the king’s personal harem and was attached to the palace by a secret tunnel. Go for a walk around the lake or sit in one of the cafes on its periphery & enjoy the view along with a cuppa.

Ceylon Tea Museum
The premises of the erstwhile Hantana Tea Factory, located around 3 kilometers from Kandy, are home to the Ceylon Tea Museum. The guided tour of the four floors of the museum includes tea drying & processing machinery on the first floor, a library on the second, a tea shop on the third floor where you can buy tea, while a café with panoramic views is located on the top floor.

Kandy Esala Perahera
This “Perahera” or parade, celebrated annually in July or August, is the one of the oldest & most illustrious festivals in Sri Lanka. Lavishly decorated elephants carry the sacred tooth relic around the town as dancers, musicians, jugglers, and fire breathers perform in the parade to seek blessings of the Rain God.

Other Attractions in Kandy

• The International Buddhist Museum.
• Degaldoruwa Rock Temple.
• Lankatilake Temple.
• Gadaladeniya Temples.
• Udawattekele Sanctuary.
• Naththaranpotha Craft Village.

Best Time to Visit Kandy
The dry weather in Kandy prevails from December to May and is the best time to visit.

How to Reach Kandy
By Air- The nearest airport is Bandaranaike International Airport, Colombo, around 100 kilometers from Kandy.
By Road- Kandy is connected by 4 main highways to various parts of the country. Buses & hired taxis are easily available for travel.
By Rail- Kandy is well connected by rail with Colombo and other parts of the country.