KANDY

Kandy is just on 116km (62mi) north east of Colombo . Sri Lanka ‘s second biggest city and the cultural centre of the hill region. For about two centuries Kandy was the capital of the island (until 1815). Visit the famous ” Temple of the Tooth”, or Dalada Maligawa, where what is believed to be a tooth of the Buddha is preserved and ardently revered. Then take a walk around adjacent Kandy Lake and its green surroundings,

Here is the sacred Temple of the Tooth, containing the Tooth Relic of the Buddha. Every year in August or late July, depending on the phases of the moon the Relic is taken in procession round the city – the event marking one of the most spectacular pageants in Sri Lanka , the Kandy Perahera.

In Kandy there is the glory of the last king, still manifest in the splendid Audience Chamber, Palace and court-yards. Just four miles away from Kandy , at Peradeniya, is the home of the world famous Royal Botanical Gardens – the most beautiful in the world. Every tropical and temperate tree and flower is cultivated here and special houses with orchids and e cacti are too beautiful to be true. You must visit the University campus, tastefully laid out amidst the hills.

It is the site of the renowned ” Temple of the Tooth”. Place of interest are the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens and the Mahaweli Diversion Project in their impressive settings. Spice Gardens dot the outskirts of Kandy along with handicraft centres and the market-place is a hub of activity. Kandy retains an aura of grandeur which time has not effaced.

For Golf Lovers there is a newly opened Golf Course and a must for all Golfers. The landscape and the scenery is absolutely beautiful and complements the course.

The laidback ‘capital’ of the hill country, and the historical bastion of Buddhist power, is built around a peaceful lake and set in a picturesque bowl of hills. It has a distinctive architectural character thanks to its gently sloping tiled roofs and the town centre is a delightful compendium of old shops, noise, buses, markets and hotels. Its standout attraction is the octagonal Dalada Maligawa ( Temple of the Tooth), a temple which houses Sri Lanka ‘s most important religious relic – the sacred tooth of Buddha. There are daily ceremonies of homage to the Tooth Relic, each attracting white-clad pilgrims carrying lotus blossoms and frangipani.

During the frenetic Kandy Esala Perahera celebrations, a replica of the shrine is carried through the city on an elephant. Other sights include the small but excellent National Museum , the Peradeniya Botanic Gardens , and the Udawattakelle Sanctuary , a peaceful haven for birdlife. There are plenty of lovely scenic walks around Kandy , one of which leads to the Mahaweli, where you may see elephants being bathed. The Kandyan Art Association & Cultural Centre beside the lake has good displays of local crafts and an auditorium for popular dance performances.