Kandy is also renowned as the 'Maha Nuwara' in Sinhala, which means 'Great city.' This Pilgrimage destination is located on the Mahaweli River shore of an artificial lake constructed in 1807 by the last Kandyan King, Sri Wickrama Rajasinha. The city is well known for the Temple of the Tooth Relic, which is why the destination is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its value and spiritual significance. Simultaneously, Kandy became a center for both Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism from the 13th and 14th centuries, and the popular Buddhist temple Sri Dalada Maligava ( Temple of Tooth) has been preserved here since 1590.
Thousands of travelers visit Sri Lanka yearly to explore incredible white sandy beaches, charming tea plantations, mysterious mountains, and famous blue train carriages and to experience the spiritual values of calmness and serenity. Kandy is one of the popular tourist destinations in Sri Lanka. It is an administrative, commercial, cultural, and educational center, even though the sacred destination is the most visited place due to the Temple of the Tooth Relic. Travelers can also explore stunning mountain ranges, tourist spots, Museums, and more. Here is the list of top-notch places one can visit to make the trip unforgettable.
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is located in Kegalle, between Colombo and the ancient Royal residence of Kandy. It is one of the most suitable places for couples, family, friends, and even solo travelers. The orphanage was built in 1975 by the Sri Lanka Wildlife Department. Visitors can enjoy elephants bathing and playing around, and even travelers can feed them fruits. The spot is perfect for a Picnic.
The most prominent temple in Sri Lanka is located north of Kandy Lake. However, it is said that the temple is where the Lord Buddha's tooth is enriched, making it a popular worship place worldwide. Although no one can see the tooth as it is stored in a golden casket inside a stupa-like structure, and the temple is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, tourists must pay a fee to enter the premises.
The artificial lake is in the center of Kandy in front of the Temple of Tooth. Significantly, it is renowned as the Kiri Muhada or the Sea of Milk. Kandy Lake was built in 1807 by King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe, the last monarch of the Kandyan Kingdom. To enhance the trip experience, tourists can enjoy fun activities like Walking, boating, watching the sunset, and appreciating the lake Flaura and Fauna. The best time to visit Kandy Lake is during daybreak or Sunset.
It is one of the stunning waterfalls in Huluganga town, also known as the Huluganga Falls among locals. The mesmerizing waterfall lies approximately 30km away from the central Kandy city. The fall rises to around 75 meters and sprinkles water over the nearby villages such as Elliyadda and Arathana. During the trip to Kandy, you must add Hulu River Waterfalls to your itinerary to witness the natural beauty. However, the waterfall had become more prevalent in recent years when it was showcased in the well-known television show "Mansion by the Fall."
Bhairawakanda temple is one of the prominent tourist attractions of Kandy, located around 1km from the city; thus, the place has gained popularity because of a few international Buddhist relations meetings. People visit here to see the magnificent massive structure and important monastery where several Buddhist events take place despite that you can reach the top of the hill or prefer a tuk-tuk ride to get to the temple premises. People can easily see the vast statues from the city, but to get a closer view, it is better to visit the temple.
The Royal Botanic Garden spans over 60 hectares and is one of the largest and best places with hidden charm to explore. Therefore, the mesmerizing garden is located in Peradeniya, which is quite close to the Mahaweli River, even though it is home to more than 4000 species of plants. Simultaneously, families, couples, and friends found this place ideal for a picnic or hanging around in the bloomy season. Tourists are allowed to visit here between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.
The best time to visit Kandy usually depends on the traveler's choice regarding the weather conditions they wish to experience. The peak season is when the weather is dry and pleasant, with an average temperature between 20 and 30 degrees Celcius. To discover the best month to fly to Kandy, check the following information.
Besides exploring popular tourist spots in Kandy, travelers can make their trip more fun and relaxing by adding fun activities to their itinerary. There are many incredible things to do in Kandy, such as enjoying a cultural dance show, visiting the historic Three Loop of Kandy, the Kandy to Elle Train ride, and more. Thus, to discover more about the fun activities, you must take note of the following data.
Generally, Kandy is popular for its Sacred tooth of the temple. One can also explore Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, Kandy Lake, Hulu River Waterfall, and more.
You need at least 2 days to explore Kandy's tourist spots fully. You can also consider three days for a relaxing trip.
Yes, travelers need to carry their passports to visit Kandy. You must also ensure their passports are valid six months after departure.
Multiple airlines serve both direct and connecting flights from/to the Kandy Airports. Some of the major Airlines are Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, Emirates, Gulf Air, Turkish Airlines, Vistara, and Srilankan Airlines.
The closest International Airport to Kandy is Bandaranaike International Airport, which is located in Colombo. The airport is the main hub for plenty of Airlines, such as Sri Lankan Airlines, Air India, Vistara, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Gulf Air, Turkish Airlines, and more.
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