Lying in central Sri Lanka, Kandy is on a Plateau surrounded by mountains. There are many places to see in Kandy as it is a large city. Some of the must-see places in Kandy during your visit to Srilanka Is below.
Temple of the Tooth
Dalada Maligawa or the Temple of Tooth is on the lakeside in the eastern end of the Town center of Kandy. Sri Lanka’s most significant Buddhist temple is also home to the Tooth relic of the Buddha, One of the most sacred in Buddhism. Dalada Maligawa attracts the devotees and pilgrims not only from this very island nation but from all over Asia. Bhikkhus(monks) conduct worship daily in the inner chamber of Dalada Maligawa. The relic also holds a historical past and important mostly among Sinhalese people. From ancient tradition, the person who possessed the relic had the right to rule the whole island. It is still a symbol of identity and pride to the Sinhalese people. So, the Temple of tooth holds the heart of Sri Lanka’s History and Religion.
The Four Devales
Believed to be the protector of the Kandy city the Four Devales are the Temples of those four gods. Lying in the area immediately to the west of Dalada Maligawa is the three of these four temples(Devales). The fourth Devale of the protector god is in the city center at Kotugodelle Vidiya. The four gods worshipped here are worshipped with devotion by the people of Sri Lanka. Especially in the festival of Esala Perahera, people perform special rituals in honor of the gods of the four Devales. The temples here are namely Buddhist but the gods worshipped in the four Devales also have strong Hindu roots. These components are also reminders of the Tamil kings of Kandy from South India.
Peradeniya Botanical Gardens
Originating from the date far back as 1371 by king King Wickramabahu III, the renovated garden is the courtesy of Alexandar moon in 1821. Situated beside the Mahaweli river is a Nirvana of floral diversity, Peradeniya Botanical Gardens. Only a couple of miles west to the city center of Kandy, we can reach the garden in every season. Flowers from different islands of Srilanka and all over the world dwells this 60 hectare Peradeniya Botanical Gardens. With a giant Javan fig tree in its center, the garden is a mixture of planted and wildflowers. The garden becomes more extensive in the northern sides with macaque monkeys and flying foxes dwelling in the bushes. You will experience a different world of Sri Lanka here at Peradeniya Botanical Gardens in Kandy.
Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage
Humanity and wildlife have to survive simultaneously. To provide food and care to the orphan elephants of Sri Lanka, Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage was established in 1975 AD. Natures beautiful art forms, elephants are friendly and harmless if we dont provoke them. The tourists or locals never leave Kandy without once visiting the orphanage and nurturing the elephants. Just outskirts the Town and in the banks of Ma Oya river, it’s an opportunity to interact and feed these Majestic creatures. You can also observe the young elephants playing and the whole heard bathing in the shallow waters. You can feel the happiness to be with Nature and feel alive at Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage. Also, a zone to conduct captive breeding this site is an excellent destination for an educational tour too.
