Kandy 115 km from Colombo, Sri Lanka’s picturesque highland capital, last stronghold of Sri Lankan kings against European conquest from the 16 th to the 19 th centuries.   It is the sanctuary of traditional culture, and the island’s   most visited tourist resort.   Its diverse charm offer a feast of memorable sight-scenery and exciting experiences.   Kandy is set amidst tea and spice gardens, mountains, lake and a river, 490 metres above sea level.   Road and rail access from Colombo through the Kadugannawa and Balane passes is picturesque, dramatic and befitting a medieval mountain stronghold.

Kandy ’s main attraction is the Dalada Maligawa, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha brought to Sri Lanka in the 4 th century AD.   This sacred relic has ever since been the symbol of sovereignity for its rulers and is always enshrined in great splendour.  

The 14 th century Natha Devale (temple) a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is dedicated to a guardian God of Sri Lanka.   Adorned with traditional entrance archway, it is built on a walled stone platform and is Kandy’s oldest monument.   Temples dedicated to the three other guardian deities.   Maha Vishnu, Kataragama and Pattini, have characteristic 18 th century architecture and double-slope roofs.   The 18 th century Audience Hall (Magul Maduwa)  is a stately open pavilion with elaborately carved hardwood pillars.   Other monuments near by include the Ulpenge (Queen’s Bath) and the 16 th century King’s Palace which is presently the Aracheological Museum.

Kandy also has many mementos of its British colonial period which lasted from 1815 until national independence in 1948.   These include St Paul’s (Anglican) Church, the King’s Pavillion (now an official state residence), the British Garrison Cemetery and Hotel Suisse, once the staff headquarters of the South East Asia Command (SEAC) during the second world war.

For a visitor what Kandy has to offer is multifold.   If you are a Nature Lover the Udawattekele Sanctuary which is a verdant nature reserve located within the district of  Kandy with a wealth of indigenous and endemic plants.   Six kilometers from Kandy, at Peradeniya, the magnificent 57 hectare Royal Botanical Gardens, laid out in 1832, are among the finest in the world.   Its treasures of tropical flora include fine collections of orchids, aromatic spices, medicinal herbs, palms and rare, endangered plant species.

Adjacent to the botanical gardens is the spacious green campus of the University of Peradeniya scenically located on the banks of the Mahaweli River.

Kandy ’s geography is dominated by the Mahaweli Ganga, Sri Lanka’s longest river.   The massive British-built, 118 metre-high Victoria Dam and hydro-power project of the Mahaweli Diversion Scheme, is one of Kandy’s modern show pieces.

For the Golf lover, the 18-hole Victoria golf course at Rajawella near Kandy with views of the sweeping waters of the Victoria Reservoir, offers good facilities and temporary membership for visitors.

Shopping in Kandy is enjoyable and exciting, its boutiques, shops, craft centres, bazaars and street markets offer many tempting and exotic ware.  

If you are visiting Kandy during July-August the Esala Perahera is definitely a must see.   Termed as Asia’s grandest pageant, this spectacular annual event is held to honour the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha and to obtain blessings of the guardian deities of Sri Lanka.   Held over a period of 10 days by torch and moon light in the streets of Kandy, this spectacular pageant is a parade of highland dancers, drummers, musicians, chieftains, dignitaries and acrobats in rich medieval costumes and scores of caparisoned elephants.