Kandy, Sacred Buddhist site in Central Province, Sri Lanka
Kandy is a city in Central Province, Sri Lanka, sitting at 500 meters (1640 feet) elevation in a valley surrounded by forested hills. An artificial lake created in 1807 forms the center of the urban area, with temples, colonial buildings and busy markets lining its shore.
The city served as the capital of the last independent kingdom on the island from 1592 until 1815, after earlier rulers retreated inland from Portuguese forces. British troops captured the area in 1815, ending more than two centuries of local self-rule.
The city's name comes from the Sinhala word Kanda, meaning hill, reflecting its position in the mountains. Each evening, worshippers gather at the temple for devotional rituals, and the sound of ceremonial drums echoes through the narrow streets of the old quarter.
Most main sites sit within walking distance around the lake, while the surrounding hills require steep climbs and can become slippery during rain. Early morning or late afternoon visits help avoid midday heat and the largest visitor groups.
The lake was built by the last king of the realm by flooding rice paddies, a move that initially faced resistance from local farmers. Today, monitor lizards and turtles live along its shore, and herons hunt in the shallow water near the boat landings.
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