3 best things to experience in Kandy, Sri Lanka –

November 28, 2022
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Sri Lanka is a myriad of colours and an explosion of cultural extravaganza. Each destination in Sri Lanka is a unique piece in itself being vocal about its history and culture. This blog is dedicated to a beautiful place called Kandy.

The second-largest city of Sri Lanka, Kandy is surrounded by mountain ranges and tea plantations. A drive of 3-hours from the capital Colombo, Kandy is a favourite for explorers who love visiting colonial buildings and religious sites.

While most guidebooks mention Kandy city as the main attraction, there are more remarkable sights to see outside the city in the rainforest area. After getting acquainted with the beautiful Colombo, we move on to Kandy where we got to experience a metaphor for life.

Listed below are 3 best things to experience in Kandy –

1. Visit the Royal Botanical Garden

The Royal Botanical Gardens of Kandy is 15-minute drive west of Kandy, and is a great escape from the city. The expansive cover area has thousands of trees, plants and flowers that are a treat for the eyes. The garden includes more than 4000 species of plants, including orchids, spices, medicinal plants and palm trees and is renowned for its collection of orchids and the long, palm framed pathways.

It is managed by the Division of National Botanic Gardens of the Department of Agriculture and the National Herbarium of Sri Lanka is attached to it as well. It encompasses a total area of 147 acres. A buggy ride takes you to through the gardens. The sizes of trees will surely come as a surprise to you.  The garden is famous for its countless (4000+) species of plants and trees.

Entrance fee: 2,000 LKR – worth the amount spent.

2. Temple of the Tooth, Kandy

The Temple of the Tooth, also known as Sri Dalada Maligawa, is a beautiful golden-roofed Buddhist Temple in the heart of Kandy. The temple is a must-see in Kandy, not just for its religious fame as one of Buddhism’s most important shrines, but also for its beautiful interior!

The temple houses Lord Buddha’s tooth which had been transferred all the way from Kalinga to Kandy. It is now stationed at this temple which holds 3 prayers a day to honour and venerate Lord Buddha.

It is a mystery whether the temple really has the tooth or was it lost in the midst of the temple’s colourful history. Plan an early-morning visit to skip the crowds and see the legendary tooth relic of Buddha. No expense is spared to protect the tooth, which is enclosed inside several golden boxes, covered in jewels.

The temple is definitely worth visiting. Please ensure to cover arms and legs to avoid any disrespect to the locals and the ethics of the temple.

Entrance fee: Nil.

3. Cultural show and fire dance

One of the traditional Kandyan dances – Gini Sisila, where dancers throw fire on them to prove that their devotion to their God. You need to be a Braveheart to watch the spectacular dance performances of these courageous dancers who play with fire, literally.  It gives you goosebumps to watch the brave fire dancers as they do somersault and exhibit their talent for a few rupees.

Entrance fee: Donate as you like.

After we watch the dance and reveal in their extraordinary performances, we move towards our next hotel that awaits our arrival. We check in at Theva Residency, a few kilometres away from the bustling city life of Kandy. Theva is unique in its own way – cosy, compact and warm with hospitality. We reached around dinner and were floored by their warm gesture. The table was set with the most delectable cuisines that satisfied our palettes and our soul. After a nice sleep, the next morning we enjoyed a hearty breakfast while enjoyiung the beautiful scenic views.

My next blog is about a beautiful p-lace called Nuwera Ella – and why you must add this in your bucket list.

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