|
 |
A Guide to Kandy, Sri Lanka. |
 |
|
 |
|
The name Kandy conjures visions of storied past and ancient splendour, legend, folklore, mystery and traditions lovingly kept alive for countless years. Kandy..... Sri Lanka's hill capital, stronghold of the Sinhala kings, repository of culture, religious centre, Sri Lanka's most beautiful town.
Kandy's focal point is, without doubt, the Dalada Maligawa, where the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha is enshrined. Highlight of the year is the Kandy Esala Perahera, when a replica of the relic casket is paraded in the streets, accompanied by exotically-costumed dancers, drummers and anything from eighty to a hundred gaily¬caparisoned elephants, for ten glittering festival nights. |
|
 |
|
|
 |
Hotels related to
A Guide to Kandy |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Highlights of
Kandy |
|
|
|
» Rajasingha Mawatha
Once in Kandy you can't miss the lovely artificial lake built by the last Sinhala king, Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe, in 1806. If you want the thrill of your lifetime ... to see elephants bathing and elephant ride and go along the Rajasingha Mawatha for two km, just opposite Common Wealth Memorial War Cemetery. |
» Sinhala Architecture
Culture-wise, visits to the Dalada Maligawa and several other temples and shrines are imperative. Rare paintings, frescoes, wood and stone carvings are the rewards of the visitor to the Asgiriya and Malwatte Chapters, the four devala (Hindu Temples) and the museum, in Kandy proper.
Nearby, the Embekke Devale, exquisite in wood carving, and dating from the 14th century the Lankatilleke, which is considered the finest example of Sinhala architecture in existence today; the Degaldoruwa temple, with its beautiful traditional paintings; the South Indian-influenced Gadaladeniya, the incredible Galmaduwa and the Medawela Temple, with its magnificent "Makara Thorana"... a frieze showing the mythical animal, which is made up of parts from many different species in all its barbaric splendour. |
» Peradeniya Royal Botanic Gardens
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya, begun as a pleasure garden by Sinhalese kings in the Kandiankingdom,are 57 hectares in extent and provide amazing variety in trees, plants and flowers, for the edification of the botanist. |
» Shopping in Kandy
For dedicated shoppers, Kandy is truly heaven... visit the Government run Laksala or the Kandyan Arts Association for quality and value in wood, copper, silver, brass, ivory, ebony, bronze, ceramics, lacquer work, hand-looms, batiks, jewellery, filigree, antiques, rush and reed ware. For the zenith in pure sensation, visit the Kandy bazaar, where fruit, vegetables, toys, textiles, sarees, sweetmeats, beverages, pots and pottery items assail the senses! |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
