Kandy, Sri Lanka
Region: Central Province
Geographic Coordinates: 7.296400, 80.635000
Temperature Range: 20.0°C to 30.0°C (68°F to 86°F)
Climate: Tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons, with the wet season occurring from May to September.
Population: 161000
Language: Sinhala
Kandy is a city with a rich history and culture located in the central province of Sri Lanka. Known as the cultural capital of Sri Lanka, It boasts religious significance and lush green hills surrounded by tea plantations making it an ideal destination for nature enthusiasts. The Temple of the Tooth Relic is one of Kandy’s most iconic landmarks. It houses a sacred tooth relic of Buddha, Attracting thousands of pilgrims from around the world annually. The temple complex also includes several other buildings with intricate carvings and paintings depicting various stories from Buddhist mythology.
The Royal Botanical Gardens is another must-visit attraction in Kandy covering over 147 acres, Home to more than 4, 000 species of plants including orchids, Palms, Spices and medicinal plants. Visitors can take leisurely strolls through well-manicured lawns or enjoy picnics under shady trees while admiring rare flora. For those interested in learning about Sri Lankan history and culture, A visit to the National Museum would be highly recommended showcasing artifacts dating back to prehistoric times up until modern-day Sri Lanka.
Kandy offers visitors plenty of opportunities for adventure activities such as hiking or trekking through scenic trails leading up to mountain peaks offering breathtaking views; white-water rafting on Kelani River; or exploring caves like Batadombalena Cave – known for its prehistoric paintings dating back over 5, 000 years! but not least important – food! Kandyan cuisine has its own unique flavors that are distinct from other regions in Sri Lanka. Some popular dishes include kiri hodi (coconut milk gravy), Polos (green jackfruit curry) and ambul thiyal (sour fish curry).
Visitors can also indulge in a cup of Ceylon tea while enjoying the cool mountain breeze. Kandy is an enchanting place that has something to offer for everyone from its rich cultural heritage to its stunning natural beauty. It is no wonder that Kandy is considered one of the top tourist destinations in Sri Lanka!
- The major industries and businesses in Kandy, Sri Lanka include:
- Tourism
- Tea production
- Agriculture (especially spice cultivation)
- Handicrafts
- Textiles
- Kandy is also home to several:
- Educational institutions
- Healthcare facilities
- Additionally, the city has a growing technology industry with several:
- Startups
- IT companies operating in the area
- The establishment of the Kingdom of Kandy in the 16th century after the Portuguese invasion.
- The Dutch invasion and occupation of Kandy in 1765.
- The British capture of Kandy in 1815, which marked the end of the independent Kingdom of Kandy and the beginning of British colonial rule in Sri Lanka.
- The Uva Rebellion against British rule that took place in and around Kandy between 1817 and 1818.
- King Rajasinghe II (1608-1687) who was one of the most powerful kings in Sri Lankan history and ruled over a vast kingdom that included much of modern-day Sri Lanka.
- Wariyapola Sri Sumangala Thero (1827-1911), a Buddhist monk who played a key role in resisting British colonialism and promoting Sinhalese language education.
- Sirimavo Bandaranaike (1916-2000), who became the world’s first female prime minister when she was elected as Prime Minister of Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) in 1960.
- Mahinda Rajapaksa, former President of Sri Lanka from 2005 to 2015, who is originally from Medamulana near Tangalle but has strong political ties to Kandy district as well.
- Temple of the Tooth Relic: A sacred Buddhist temple and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Royal Palace of Kandy: Former residence of Sri Lankan kings, now a museum.
- Peradeniya Botanical Gardens: One of the largest botanical gardens in Asia.
- Kandy Lake: A picturesque lake in the heart of Kandy city.
- Bahirawakanda Vihara Buddha Statue: A large white statue overlooking the city.
- National Museum of Kandy: Museum showcasing Sri Lankan history and culture.
- Ceylon Tea Museum: Museum dedicated to Sri Lanka’s tea industry.
- Udawattakele Forest Reserve: Nature reserve with hiking trails and scenic views.
- Gadaladeniya Temple – Ancient temple with unique architecture.
- Embekka Devalaya – Historic temple with intricate wood carvings.
- Kandy Sports Club (KSC) is a renowned sports team in Kandy, Sri Lanka. It has a rich history dating back to 1874 and is considered to be one of the oldest rugby clubs in Asia. The team has achieved great success over the years, winning several domestic and international rugby tournaments.
- Another well-known sports team in Kandy is the Kandy Lake Club (KLC), which was originally founded as a social club in 1896 but later expanded to include various sports such as cricket, tennis, badminton, and swimming. The club has produced many talented athletes who have gone on to represent Sri Lanka at national level competitions.
- The Trinity College Rugby Football Club (TCRFC) is another prominent rugby club based in Kandy. It was established by students of Trinity College in 1906 and has since become one of the top rugby clubs in Sri Lanka, with several national championships under its belt.
- In addition to these teams, there are also several other notable sports teams from Kandy such as Army SC, Navy SC, Air Force SC and Police SC that regularly participate at national level competitions across various sporting events like football, volleyball and basketball among others. These teams showcase their immense talent on a larger platform for all to see.
- Kandy Esala Perahera: This is one of the most famous and important cultural events in Kandy, Sri Lanka. It is a ten-day festival that takes place in July or August and celebrates the Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha.
- Kandy Avurudu Uthsawaya: This festival takes place in April to celebrate the Sinhalese New Year. The festival includes traditional games, food, music, and dance.
- Kandy Perehera Festival: This festival takes place in February or March to celebrate the Buddhist calendar’s first full moon day (Poya) after January’s full moon day (Duruthu Poya). The event includes processions with decorated elephants, drummers, dancers, and fire-breathers.
- Kandyan Dance Festival: This annual event showcases traditional Sri Lankan dance performances by local artists at various locations throughout the city.
- Esala Maha Randoli Perahera: A grand finale procession of the Esala Perahera held on a full moon night which attracts thousands of visitors from around the world.
- Nawam Maha Perehera: A grand procession held annually on February’s Full Moon Day to mark Lord Buddha’s first sermon delivered at Isipathana Temple in Colombo.
- Kandy Food Festival: An annual culinary event hosted by local restaurants showcasing traditional Sri Lankan cuisine along with international dishes catering to diverse tastes for tourists visiting during October/November period.
- Kandy Floral Festival: An annual flower show organized by Horticulture Department showcasing rare flowers grown locally as well as imported varieties attracting thousands of visitors from around the island every year.
- Kandyan Muslim Hotel – famous for biryani and other Muslim dishes.
- Devon Restaurant – known for its Sri Lankan rice and curry.
- The Empire Cafe – offers a variety of Sri Lankan and Western dishes.
- Balaji Dosai – serves authentic South Indian dosas and curries.
- Slightly Chilled Lounge Bar & Restaurant – known for its delicious cocktails and international cuisine with a Sri Lankan twist.
- Buono Italian Restaurant – offers authentic Italian cuisine with a beautiful view of the city.
- The Bake House – famous for its freshly baked pastries, cakes, bread, sandwiches, burgers, pizzas etc.
- Curry Leaf Restaurant at the Earl’s Regency Hotel- serves traditional Sri Lankan dishes in an elegant setting.
- Oak Ray Regency Hotel Rooftop Bar & Grill- offers stunning views of the city while serving delicious grilled meats and seafood.
- Royal Mallikarjuna Vegetarian Restaurant- serves vegetarian food with a South Indian touch.
- Royal Botanical Gardens: A large park with a wide variety of plants and trees, including orchids, palm trees, and medicinal plants.
- Udawatta Kele Sanctuary: A forest reserve located in the heart of Kandy city with hiking trails and scenic views.
- Kandy Lake: A man-made lake located in the center of Kandy city where visitors can enjoy boat rides or take leisurely walks around the lake.
- Pallekele International Cricket Stadium: One of Sri Lanka’s premier cricket venues that hosts international matches throughout the year.
- Victoria Golf Club: An 18-hole golf course situated on the outskirts of Kandy offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
- Knuckles Mountain Range: A popular trekking destination for nature lovers with beautiful landscapes, waterfalls, and wildlife sightings.
- Peradeniya University Campus Grounds: An open space for recreational activities such as jogging or picnicking surrounded by lush greenery and historic buildings.
- Bahirawakanda Vihara Buddha Statue & Temple: A temple located atop Bahirawa kanda hill overlooking Kandy City.
- Kandyan Arts Association Cultural Centre: A cultural centre where visitors can learn about traditional dance forms such as Kandyan dancing.
- Temple Of The Tooth Relic: One of Sri Lanka’s most sacred Buddhist sites which houses the relic tooth of Lord Buddha.
Notable people associated with Kandy, Sri Lanka include:
