In our previous guide we wrote about what to see in the North of Sri Lanka. In this article we’ll have a look at the central area around the city of Kandy and the various things to se and do in that region. The complete list of Sri Lankan and regions is as follows:
- North – The Cultural Triangle
- Central – Kandy
- Central – Hills & Tea Country
- South – A Giant Nature Reserve
- South West – Tourists & Beaches
The city of Kandy lies on the Central Sri Lankan plateau and was once the Sri Lankan capital in the era of the ancient kings and empire. It was the last region to hold out against colonial invaders until the British prevailed in the early 19th century. It is also the capital city of the Central Province, meaning it is that regions religious focus.
Temple of the Tooth
The Temple of the Tooth is a good place to start; it’s within the royal palace complex within Kandy and is purported to contain one of the Buddha’s teeth which was grabbed from his funeral pyre in 4th century BC India by Arahat Khema. The tooth was passed from ruler to ruler until it found it’s way to Sri Lanka where it now resides. You can read the complex story more fully when you get there. It’s kept within a tooth sanctuary within the temple itself.
Temple of the Tooth
Kandy Lake
If you’re looking for a picturesque stroll around the water’s edge, look no further than Kandy Lake. It’s an artificial creation, built in 1807 on the site of paddy fields and using forced labour, by the last Sinhalese king of the region. It was regarded as a monumental waste of money at the time, especially as the British were increasing their pressure and presence on the island, but King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe was not interested in criticism and many of those naysayers executed.
It’s smaller now than the original design but that means a walk around the two mile perimeter is comfortable in the relatively humid climate. In the centre of the lake is a small island containing a royal bathhouse which is also believed to have been a harem.
Kandy Lake
Peradeniya Royal Botanic Gardens
Just outside the city of Kandy sits the Peradeniya Royal Botanic Gardens, the most notable feature of which is it’s huge variety of orchis species (over 300). It was actually designed by the British in 1821 but the site is on the remains of a temple built by King Wimala Dharma hundreds of years before.
By 1843 the Gardens had been established with the help of samples bought over from Kew Gardens in London and the British influence is well-established here. Many visitors come to see the Cannonball Tree, planted by George V in 1901. Another popular attraction here is the Avenue of Palms.
Cannonball Tree, Peradeniya
Kandy Market
We can’t fit in all Kandy’s sights in one article but we’ll give a final mention to the Municipal Market, a visit to which is always an enlightening experience for a foreign traveller.
Kandy Market