Your Guide to the best of Sri Lanka, the Destination Paradise
Sri Lanka Leisure Guide will provide you with information about what Sri Lanka has to offer to the outside world along with information for you to plan your Sri Lanka holiday. The accommodations guide will help you search for hotels and resorts within close proximity to all the exciting areas spread across the country.
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Leisure >> World Heritage Cities >> Kandy World Heritage City Kandy
Location The hill capital Kandy is located in the heart of Sri Lanka's hill country 81 miles / 129 kilometres from Colombo, 87 miles / 138 kilometres from Anuradhapura, 45 miles / 72 kilometres from Dambulla, and 28 miles / 42 kilometres from Kurunegala. History The hill capital of Kandy lies amidst picturesque mountains surrounded by Sri Lanka's longest river, the Mahaweli. Kandy is rich in culture and home to many arts and craft. The city name is derived from the Sinhala word 'Kanda', meaning 'mountain' or 'hill'. Up until the last Kandyan king Sri Vickrama Rajasinghe was captured in 1815, Kandy remained the last stronghold of the Sri Lankan kings against the invading British. Almost every nook and cranny of the city reeks of culture while the level of religious presence is almost tangible. Kandy is of utmost importance to Buddhists since the Dalada Maligawa in Kandy is where the sacred tooth relic of the Lord Buddha lies. Thousands of devotees flock to Kandy each day to pay homage to it. Attractions Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the tooth relic) 16th century AD, Esala Perahera, Malwatta Asgiriya monasteries, Gadaladeniya, Lankatilaka and Embekke temples, Suriyagoda vihare and Dodanwala devale, Hindagala temple, Gangarama and Degaldoruwa temples, Mediwela vihara, Galmadauwa vihara and Victoria Dam. Directions From Colombo Follow the A1 highway from Colombo all the way up to Kandy. From Anuradhapura Drive down A12 East up to the A13 south, at the Maradankadawala junction. Then follow the A9 straight to Kandy. From Polonnaruwa Take the A11 West, take the A6 south at Habarana junction to Kandy. From Kurunegala The A10 east will lead you to Kandy. From Dambulla Travel along the A9 south to Kandy. Getting There Although Kandy is easily accessible by car / coach, or train, travelling by public transport is the most economical means of travel. Festival of the August Moon For ten days every August, Kandy becomes a virtual beehive of activity. For it is in August that the world famous Kandy 'Perahera' takes to the streets. From whip-crackers and fireball acrobats to dancers and elephants dressed up to suit the occasion, the procession is probably one of the most colourful events in the world. Held annually, the Perahera is held to invoke blessings on the people of the city and country. The sacred tooth relic is paraded through the city on a gold casket with the Dalada Maligawa's head tusker doing the carrying around. This is one event that should not be missed!
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