Kandy, Sacred Buddhist site in Central Province, Sri Lanka
Description
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.
History
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.
Culture
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.
Practical
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.
Did you know?
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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Photo license: FAL
Temple of the Tooth
704 m
Kandy Lake
531 m
Royal Palace of Kandy
698 m
Bogambara Prison
288 mAsgiri Maha Viharaya
686 m
Sri Maha Bodhi Viharaya
671 m
Wales Park
413 m
Temple of the Tooth Museum
404 m
Kandy Clock Tower
35 m
Kandy Post Office
422 m
St. Paul's Church, Kandy
538 m
International Buddhist Museum
661 m
Bogambara Stadium
483 m
Giragama Walawwa
170 mMeera Makam Mosque
581 mMural, Work of art
324 mGiragama Walawwa
167 mQueen's Bath
674 mBuddha
532 mMen and elephant mural
331 mWorld War I Memorial
69 mMural, Work of art
314 mScenic viewpoint
538 mScenic viewpoint
453 mViewpoint of Asgiri Maha Vihara Pirivena
311 mWayside shrine, Buddhism
437 mGeneral Anuruddha Rateatte
33 mMemorial
289 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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