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Kandy

The cultural capital of the country

Kandy, Sri Lanka

It is the cultural capital of Sri Lanka. It is located in the Central Province , in the Mahaweli River valley, and is the second-largest city in the country after Colombo. It is famous for its Temple of the Tooth Relic, which is one of the most sacred Buddhist relics in the world. The temple is located in the Royal Palace , which was the last royal palace of the Sinhalese kings of Sri Lanka.Kandy

It is also known for its other cultural attractions, such as the  Esala Perahera, a colorful and vibrant pageant held in July or August each year. The Perahera features a procession of elephants, dancers, musicians, and other performers. Other cultural attractions  include the  National Museum, the  Botanical Gardens, and the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage.

It is a beautiful and historic city that is steeped in culture. It is a popular tourist destination and offers a unique glimpse into Sri Lankan culture.

Here are some of the reasons why It is considered the cultural capital of Sri Lanka:

  • The Temple of the Tooth Relic is one of the most sacred Buddhist relics in the world. It is believed to be the tooth of the Buddha, and it is said to have been brought to Sri Lanka by Princess Hemamala in the 4th century AD. The temple is located in the Royal Palace , which was the last royal palace of the Sinhalese kings of Sri Lanka.
  • It is home to a number of other important cultural sites, such as the National Museum, the  Botanical Gardens, and the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage.
  • It is a major center for Sinhalese culture and tradition. The city is home to a number of traditional arts and crafts, such as Kandyan dancing, drumming, and mask making.
  • It is a vibrant and lively city with a rich cultural heritage. The city is home to a number of festivals and cultural events throughout the year, such as the  Esala Perahera.

If you are looking for a city that is rich in culture and history, then it is the perfect place for you. The city has something to offer everyone, from history buffs to art lovers to those who just want to experience a unique Sri Lankan culture.

 

The Temple of the Tooth

The Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa) is a Buddhist temple in the city of Kandy, Sri Lanka. It is located in the royal palace complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy, which houses the relic of the tooth of the Buddha.

Kandy

 

The Temple of the Tooth is one of the most sacred Buddhist sites in the world. It is believed that the tooth relic was brought to Sri Lanka by Princess Hemamala in the 4th century AD. The relic has been kept in the temple ever since, and it is said to bring good luck and prosperity to the country.

The temple is a beautiful and ornate building, with a golden roof and a spacious interior. The tooth relic is housed in a small silver casket, which is kept in a heavily guarded chamber. The chamber is open to the public for viewing once a year, during the  Esala Perahera, a colorful and vibrant pageant held in July or August.

The Temple of the Tooth is a popular tourist destination and a must-see for any visitor to Sri Lanka. It is a sacred place that is steeped in history and tradition.

Here are some interesting facts about the Temple of the Tooth:

  • The tooth relic is said to be one of the four most sacred Buddhist relics in the world. The other three relics are the bowl used by the Buddha to eat, the robe he wore, and the tree under which he attained enlightenment.
  • The Temple of the Tooth has been attacked several times throughout its history. In 1989, the temple was attacked by a group of Tamil rebels. The attack was unsuccessful, but it caused significant damage to the temple.

 

UNESCO World Heritage Site

  • The Temple of the Tooth is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was added to the list of World Heritage Sites in 1988.
  • The Temple of the Tooth is a major center for Buddhist pilgrimage. Thousands of Buddhists from all over the world visit the temple each year.

If you are interested in learning more about the Temple of the Tooth, I recommend visiting the temple’s website. The website has a wealth of information about the temple’s history, architecture, and religious significance.

Esala Perahera

The  Esala Perahera is a colorful and vibrant pageant held  in July or August each year. The Perahera is a celebration of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Buddha, which is housed in the Temple of the Tooth .

Kandy

 

The Perahera begins with a procession of elephants, which are decorated with colorful caparisons and carry the Sacred Tooth Relic. The elephants are followed by dancers, musicians, and other performers, who represent the different cultures and traditions of Sri Lanka. The procession winds its way through the streets of city, and it is a spectacular sight to behold.

The  Esala Perahera is one of the largest and most popular festivals in Sri Lanka. It attracts thousands of people from all over the world, and it is a must-see for any visitor to the country.

Here are some interesting facts about the Esala Perahera:

  • The Perahera is held in the month of Esala, which is the Sinhalese month of July or August.
  • The Perahera is a celebration of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Buddha, which is housed in the Temple of the Tooth .
  • The Perahera is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was added to the list of World Heritage Sites in 1988.
  • The Perahera is a major tourist attraction in Sri Lanka. It attracts thousands of people from all over the world each year.

If you are interested in learning more about the  Esala Perahera, I recommend visiting the website of the Sri Lanka Tourism Board. The website has a wealth of information about the festival, including its history, schedule, and how to get tickets.

 

The Royal Palace of , also known as the Mahawàsala, is a palace complex located in the city of Kandy, Sri Lanka. It was the last royal palace of the Sinhalese kings of Sri Lanka.

Kandy

 

The palace complex was built in the 16th century by King Wimaladharmasuriya I. The palace is situated on a hilltop overlooking the Kandy Lake. The complex is made up of several buildings, including the Audience Hall, the King’s Quarters, and the Queen’s Quarters.

The Audience Hall is the largest building in the complex. It is where the king held court and met with his advisors. The King’s Quarters are located to the north of the Audience Hall. They are a series of interconnected rooms that were used by the king and his family. The Queen’s Quarters are located to the south of the Audience Hall. They are a similar set of interconnected rooms that were used by the queen and her family.

The Royal Palace of  was destroyed by fire in 1759. It was rebuilt by King Kirti Sri Rajasinha in the 18th century. However, the palace was again destroyed by fire in 1815.

The ruins of the Royal Palace of  are now a popular tourist destination. The palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Here are some interesting facts about the Royal Palace :

  • The palace was built in the 16th century by King Wimaladharmasuriya I.
  • The palace complex is made up of several buildings, including the Audience Hall, the King’s Quarters, and the Queen’s Quarters.
  • The palace was destroyed by fire in 1759 and again in 1815.
  • The ruins of the palace are now a popular tourist destination.
  • The palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

If you are interested in learning more about the Royal Palace , I recommend visiting the website of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre. The website has a wealth of information about the palace, including its history, architecture, and religious significance.

 

The Udawattekele Sanctuary is a historic forest reserve on a hill-ridge in the city . It is 104 hectares (257 acres) large and is home to a variety of plants and animals, including elephants, monkeys, deer, birds, and butterflies.Kandy

The sanctuary was once a pleasure garden for the Kandyan kings and was reserved for the exclusive use of the royal family. The pond situated in the forest was used for bathing. Today, the sanctuary is a popular tourist destination and is a great place to go for a walk, hike, or picnic.

Here are some interesting facts about the Udawattekele Sanctuary:

  • The sanctuary was once a pleasure garden for the Kandyan kings.
  • The pond situated in the forest was used for bathing.
  • The sanctuary is home to a variety of plants and animals, including elephants, monkeys, deer, birds, and butterflies.
  • The sanctuary is a popular tourist destination and is a great place to go for a walk, hike, or picnic.

If you are interested in learning more about the Udawattekele Sanctuary, I recommend visiting the website of the Department of Wildlife Conservation. The website has a wealth of information about the sanctuary, including its history, flora and fauna, and how to visit.

 

Botanical Gardens

The Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya, is a botanical garden located in the city . It is one of the largest botanical gardens in Asia and is home to a wide variety of plants, including orchids, spices, medicinal plants, and palm trees.Kandy

The gardens were established in 1821 by Alexander Moon, a Scottish botanist who was working for the British colonial government. The gardens were originally used to cultivate coffee and cinnamon plants, but they were later converted into a botanical garden.

The Botanical Gardens is a popular tourist destination and are a great place to go for a walk, hike, or picnic. The gardens are also home to a number of educational facilities, including a herbarium, a library, and a museum.

Here are some interesting facts about the Botanical Gardens :

  • The gardens are home to over 10,000 different plant species.
  • The gardens are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • The gardens are open to the public from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm daily.
  • The gardens are a great place to see orchids, spices, medicinal plants, and palm trees.

If you are interested in learning more about the Botanical Gardens , I recommend visiting the website of the Department of National Botanic Gardens. The website has a wealth of information about the gardens, including their history, flora and fauna, and how to visit.