Once
you heard, the name of Kandy it will definitely build a magnificent image in
your mind. Yes, that is true. In not only today but also at the past it is a
great kingdom in Sri Lanka. Because it was the kingdom of the last Sinhalese
king Sri Wickrama Raajasinghe. Some aspect of the arts and architectures still
survive in the living form in city of Kandy.
This beautiful city called in various
names. It originally known as Senkadagalapur, as there lived a hermit called
Senkada, Some named this city as Mahanuwara (Great city). With the meaning of
Kanda (mountain) in Sinhala, the name Kandy derived from colonial rulers.
Once you visit to this UNESCO World
Heritage Site, there are many things for you to experience; it is not only in
the city but also on your way to Kandy. As an example Pinnawala Elephant
Orphanage, Pinnawala Open Air Zoo etc.
Sri
Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the tooth relic)
Located: In
Kandy. Approximately 1.3km away from city of Kandy. ( it’ll take 10min)
Dalada Maligawa, which houses the Sacred
Tooth Relic of the Buddha, is the one of the most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage
site in the world.
According to the history in the time of
Raajasinghe II, Tooth Relic recovered from Portuguese, which carried to Meda
Mahanuwara in Dumbara, in the year 1603 when Portuguese invaded Kandy. King
Veera Narendra Singhe built the present day Temple of the tooth relic. The
octagon (in Sinhala Paththirippuwa), inner moat, and outer moat added during
the reign of King Sri Wickrama Raajasinghe. Originally, Pattirippuwa used by
the king for recreational activities and later it had offered to the tooth
relic. Presently it is an oriental library. As well as, a golden canopy has
added recently.
Mainly there are lots, for you to
experience at Dalada Maligawa. There are Temple of the Tooth building complex,
Maha Wahalkada (the main entrance), Moats, Pattiruppuwa (octagon), Handun
Kuluna, Golden canopy, Temple of the Tooth Museum (new palace), Royal palace of
Kandy, National museum of Kandy, International Buddhist museum, Kandy lake, Biso
Ulpen Ge (Queens bath), Diyathilake Mandapaya, etc.
At this sacred place, daily rituals could
observed three times a day. At 4.30 am 10.30 am and 6.30 pm respectively.
Kandy
Lake (Bogambara Lake)
With the Temple of the tooth relic, the
most famous landmark is its lake, which is call as Kandy Lake or Bogambara wawa
which is situated at the mid of the Kandy city. King Sri Wickrama Rajasinha,
next to the Temple of the Tooth Relic built this, in the year 1807.
Maximum depth of this lake runs up to 60
feet and has a perimeter of 2.1 miles. Walakulu wall (clouds wall) which is
surrounded the lake runs for 2060 feet along the banks of this Kandy Lake. At
the middle of this lake, there is an island, which consists with legends &
folklore.
National
Museum of Kandy
Located In
Kandy. Approximately 2.2km away from city of Kandy. ( it’ll take 10 min)
In the year 1832 during Sri vickrama Rajasinghe
era this was build next to the Temple of the tooth relic. At that time, this
building known as “Palle Vahala” (lower palace) which is, presently uses for
primary exhibits. This Palle Vahala was use as the palace where the Quinces of
the king lived. Secondary exhibitions are located in main palace building. So,
this building has been built exhibiting architectural feature of Kandy period.
When you move in side of this museum, you will be getting the opportunity to
experience over five thousand artifacts, which are showing various historical
and cultural features and events of Kandyan period. As an example, jewelry,
weapons, tools etc. Specially, including a copy of the 1815 agreement, that handed
over the Kandyan province to the British.
The
international Buddhist temple
Located: In
Kandy. Approximately 2.1km away from city of Kandy. ( it’ll take 10min)
The authority of the Sri Dalada Maligawa
or Temple of the Tooth Relic has established the International Buddhist Museum
(IBM). The main purpose of the international Buddhist temple is to display the
expansion of the Buddhism throughout the Asia & world.
Malwathu
& Asgiri Temple
Located: In
Kandy. Approximately 1.6km away from city of Kandy. ( it’ll take 10min)
One of the Siyam Nikaya’s monastic center
in Sri Lanka. In the 14th century, commander Siriwardhana founded
this during the post mortem of Parakramabahu IV in kurunegala ear. Behind the
name of Asgiri, it has a beautiful story regarding origin of that name. It was
the conversion name of Valasala, which is in Pali language Acchagiri. When it translates
to Sinhalese, it gives the name of Asgiri. There is another name regarding origin
of this name. The queen Chandrawathe, mother of king Vikramabahu, asked to
build a temple. So, when she died, her cremation ground called as Asgiri. Then
there built a temple named Talagahamulla Viharaya, which became Asgiri Viharaya
later on. At present Asgiri temple is calling as Heyagiri Wijesundararama,
which is a mistaken translation of word Acchagiri. According to the history,
all of the past Kandyan kings had been contributing to the developments of
Asgiri temple.
Such as Asgiri Maha Viaraya, Malwathu
Maha Viharay is also one of the major Buddhist monastery of Theravada Buddhism
in Sri Lanka. These two temples are the responsible parties for Sacred Tooth
Relic in Kandy.
Located: In
Kandy. Approximately 1.9km away from city of Kandy. ( it’ll take 10min)
Malwathu Maha Wiharaya situated across
the Kandy Lake from Temple of Tooth Relic. This Temple consists with two
complexes. They are Uposatha Viharaya (Poyamalu Viharaya) and the other one is
Pushparama Viharaya (Malwathu Viharaya). King Senasammatha Vikramabahu
(1473-1511 A.D) built Poyamalu Viharaja.
However, initially there are only three
dwelling places to accommodate at Malwathu Maha Viharaya. They are Meda
Pansala, Thibbatuwawe Pansala, and Sangaraja Pansala. The Mada Pansala for the
great monk Velivita Saranankara Thero and the Thibotuwawe Pansala and Poyamalu
Viharaya were for the chief monk Thibbotuwawe Thero. As well as the Mada
Pansala was built for the king’s teacher “Raja Guru.”
Malwathu Maha Viharaya serving as, a meeting
site for the Sangha.
Degaldoruwa
Located: In
Kandy at Amunugama village. Approximately 7km away from city of Kandy.
( it’ll
take 20min)
Degaldoruwa Rajamaha Viharaya as a cave temple
consists with Kandyan period paintings and architecture. This was commence to
build during the reign of King Kirthi Sri Rajasinha (1747-1782 A.D). Any way
King Rajadi Rajasinha built this in 1771 A.D with completing his elder brother’s
task.
This cave temple situated at a
village in Kandy. It called as Amunugama village. This cave temple had been
built by using two rocks which are connected each other from above and below
parts of the rocks. Its stem has a height of about 40 feet. Inside paintings
consider as the best example for Kandyan ear paintings. Mainly there had drawn
four Jathaka stories. At the shrine room, also there are paintings. Some of
them are representing scene of Lord Buddha and Mara and his force. As well as
there is a painting of “Mahee Kanthawa” (Earth Goddess).
Lanka
Thilaka Temple
Located: At
Udunuwara Hiyarapitiya village, in Kandy. Approximately, 17km away from Kandy. (It’ll take 30min)
Lankathilaka viharaya, that believes as
one of an architectural palace in Gampola kingdom. This temple placed on a huge
rock, which named as Panhangala rock at Udunuwara Hiyarapitiya village in
Kandy. When you are traveling along Colombo-Kandy, road you have to turn to left
at Pilimatha near by 104km post to Daulagala road and go along it to reach to
Hiyarapitiya village.
King Buwanekabahu IV built this historic
temple, in 1344 AD. King had hand over the task to king’s chief minister
Senalankadhikara and South Indian architect Sthapati Raya has designed this
temple with blending Polonnaruwa period architecture also. This temple is a
good example for the Buddha and God worship at Gampola period. Gods Vishnu, Saman, Vibhishana, Ganapathi,
Skandhakumara and Kumara Bandara had been worshipped here.
Gadaladeniya
temple
Located: In
Kandy at Diggala, Pilimathalawa. Approximately 11km away from Kandy. ( it’ll take 30min)
According to the history, King
Buwanekabahu IV built this temple in the year 1344 on a flat rock at Diggala in
Kandy. The main architect of this temple has been a south Indian called Ganesvarachari.
Even though this temple named as Gadaladeniya a historic inscription named this
temple as Dharma kirthi Viharaya that is, named from the founder monk’s name.
The Nikaya Sangrahay called this temple as Saddharmathilake and
Saddharmalankaraya called this temple as Gadaladeniya Viharaya.
There, you’ll be able to see four
standing images of Lord Buddha and statue of Lord Buddha under Makara Thorana. This
Makara Thorana consists with painting of Gods such as Brahma, Suyama,
Santhusuta, Natha and Maithree, and two attendants. These two are at the main
shrine room. Vishnu devale or shrine to make holy was placed very close to the
shrine in Gadaladeniya temple. There is a stupa made on a rock it known
vejayanthi prasadaya it has a roof constructed over it around the main stupa
there are small shrine rooms, which house four smaller stupas it supposedly
built by king parakkramabahu V. Here original paintings still exhibit on old
jack woods doors.
In 1707-1739 king, Weera Parakrama
Narendrasinha had given this temple to Weliita Saranankara Thero as its
custodian.
Embakke
Devalaya
Located: In
Kandy at Diggala, Pilimathalawa. Approximately 11km away from Kandy. ( it’ll take 30min)
One of the best place in the world to see
the finesse woodcarvings. Once you travel along Colombo-Kandy road, you have to
turn at Pilimathalawa toward Daulagala village. Then, from there you have to go
along the Gamhatha road. Then at a distance, you will be came across to Embakke
Devalaya. You’ll see Gadaladeniya temple nearby.
This was built during 1357 to 1374 AD at
the reign of king Wikramabahu III. UNESCO has identify these as one of the
finest woodcarving in the world. This temple dedicated to God Kataragama. It
supposed that there had three buildings which are no longer exists. Currently, only
the drummer hall and the dancing hall remaining beside the temple. Every
carving on the columns is different and it says that an artisan named Devendra
Mulachari created them. Here many of the woodcarvings show legend of
origin of the Devalaya. There is a beautiful story behind the origin of this
Devalaya.
At the reign of king Wikramabahu III
there was a small village called Araththana, which is famous for dancers and
drummers. There lived a drummer named Rangama. This drummer had a skin disease.
Therefore, he tried every possible medicine to get read of this disease.
Unfortunately, he couldn’t. At last, he decided to make a pilgrimage to
Kataragama to make a vow to God Kataragama. At his vow, he promised to make
annual pilgrimage if he was get read of this disease. After this vow, he cured
and according to his promise to God, he made his annual pilgrimage several
years.
After many years, he realized that he
could not do this physically as he is old now. So he made his final pilgrim to
Kataragama and he prayed to God mentioning that he could not do this as he
getting old now. After that, the God talk to him in his dream and told him that
in a few days a miracle would occur and gave him advice on what he has to do.
After few days from his return from
Kataragama he could heard miracle story about a flower garden. That garden name
was Ambakke, which belonged to Queen Henakanda Bisobandara. One of a flower
gardener was trying to remove a Kaduru tree from the garden. When he trying to
cut the tree, he could noticed that, there is a stream of blood flowing from
that tree. When Rangama heard of this, he went there and started to do rituals
according to the advice by God. He built a small temple around the tree and
ever since that temple called as Embekke Deavalaya. When the King heard of this
story he had built three temples on the land and gave elephants and land as a
gift to the temple.
Kandyan
Art Association and Naththaranpotha
The Kudama Maduwa is the present Kandyan
Art Association, which commenced in 1882. In here, you will experience the
Kandyan arts and crafts and this is the busiest traditional dance show venue.
It is always full with tour groups for cultural shows. Today it is the ‘Home’
of the Arts of the Kandyan artificers. Normally, it runs during an hour. This is 100m away from Temple of Tooth Relic.
Naththaranpotha Kalapuraya (Craft village) is a village, which
situated to experience traditional craft men of Kandy and their life style. It
situated 7km away from Kandy.
Udawattakelle
sanctuary
Located: In
Kandy. Approximately 2.3km away from city of Kandy. ( it’ll take 10min)
Behind the Temple of Tooth Relic middle
of Kandy, there is a historic and a lush forest, which stay increasing the
value of Kandy. Still it is an isolate and relatively unknown forest reserve.
There are lot of calm walking paths and trekking routes inside this sanctuary. This
forest is very famous among bird watchers. Not only that but also there is a
importance to the place as it consist with three Buddhist meditation hermitages
and rock shelters for Buddhist monk hermits.
In 1856, Udawaththa Kele, was designate
as a forest reserve and in 1938, it became a sanctuary. This Udawatta Kele
sanctuary or the Royal Forest Park of Kandy runs through 104 hectares (257
acres).
According to the legend Brahmin by the
name of Senkada once lived in a cave of this forest and the rock shelters
presently known as the Senkandagala-lena’, said to be name after him. The
Sinhala meaning of Udawatta Kele is “the garden situated above the royal
palace. During the Kandyan kingdom period, the king and his family had used
this for their leisure activities.
Udawatta Kele sanctuary is very rich with
its vegetation and with its large population of snakes and large Varity of
reptiles. The sanctuary well known for its plentiful variety off over 460 plant
species such as lianas and shrubs and for its various kind of wildlife such as
wild boars, porcupines and toque monkeys. Not only that but also it is well
known for its giant “Pus Wela” a famous ancient liana which is covering vast
area inside the forest.
Peradeniya
Botanical Garden
Located: In
Kandy at Peradeniya. Approximately 5.5km away from city of Kandy. ( it’ll take
20min)
Peradeniya Botanical garden, which named
as Royal Botanical garden, situated near to the Mahaweli River at Peradeniya in
Kandy. It is far away approximately 6km to the West form city of Kandy and its
runs through 147 acres.
The history of the park runs to 1371.
Conceived originally in 1371 as the Queen's pleasure garden and it was
developed by King Kirti Sri
Rajasinhe (1747-1778) where royal visitors were entertained. The
British during the deputy governorship of General Sir Edward Barnes converted
it into Botanical Gardens in 1821, six years after fall of the last King of Sri
Lanka. This botanical garden formally established in 1843 and in 1844, this was
expanded under George Gardner as superintendent. In 1912, this came under the
administration of the Department of Agriculture.
This is well known for its collection of
orchids. There are some 4,000 different species of plants at Peradeniya
Gardens. The 10,000 or so trees, which are the stars, are mature, lofty giants,
many of them tropical timber trees. Main entrance opens up the River Drive,
which takes you straight down to the great, circle, and then on to the
suspension bridge over the River Mahaweli. River drive branches off to a number
of avenues: Double Coconut Avenue, Cook's Pine Avenue, Royal Palm Avenue,
Palmyrah Palm Avenue, and Cabbage Palm Avenue.
Mathale
Alu Vihara
Located: In
Kandy at Matale. Approximately 30km away from Kandy. ( it’ll take 50 min)
When you travel through Kandy-Jaffna road,
this cave temple situated 30km South of Kandy. Behind the name of Matale Alu Viharaya
there is a legendary story. It says that Aloka Vihara became as Aluvihara.
According to the folktales, this name has many meanings. One is that in Pali
word Aloka (light) was Alu in ancient Sinhala and as this temple was house to
monks, it was a Viharaya. Henceforth the two words combined and it made the
name as Aluvihara. Another story is that even through this temple situated in a
rock cave and there is a huge rock from Eastern side of this cave temple it get
sunlight without any disturb from the rock. As it is so, it called as Aloka
Lena (lighted cave). Aluvihare Rock temple has many caves with ancient
inscriptions. These caves enclose comparatively modern wall and ceiling
paintings of interest, and impressive statues and images of Lord Buddha. There
is a belief that the rock caves are the result of a massive landslide in the
hill country. At present, there are 13 rock caves.
The history of this cave temple runs to
the reign of King Devanampiyathissa. It said that the kings build the dagoba
and planted the Bo tree. During the reign of King Walagamba country was
suffering from a famine known as Baminithiyasaya for twelve years. At that, time
there had been attacking from South India also. So then, the monk understood
this would be a danger on existence of Buddhism in the country. Due to the
famine, there were not enough foods also. A group of about sixty monk went to
Malaya Rata (hilly area of the country). They managed to survive for twelve
years on the bank of Mahaweli River.
The monks who survived from the famine
returned to Anuradhapura and decided to transcribe the philosophical doctrines
of Buddhism for the preservation of future generation. They selected this Aluviharaya
temple as the most secured place to carrying out this historic event. It is
saying that five hundred educated monks gathered and first recited the
doctrines and arranged it in to acceptable version before transcription. The
entire doctrines Tran scripted on Puskola Potha (books made from ola leafs) and
used Pali language. In 1848 the old library of Aluvihara Rock Temple, which had
safely housed the volumes of these transcribed manuscripts destroyed during the Matale
Reebllion. Not only that but also many parts of the temple complex was
destroyed. Some of the evidence of destroy is still a live at this temple
premise. In 1982, a few monks could go over some of transcribes.
At present there is a special procession
called as Sangayana Perahara, which commenced in 1973. In every year, it will
be held on the full moon Poya day of June to commemorate the writing of the
Tripitaka at Matale Alu Vihara.
Cultural
dancing shows
Before you travel to watch cultural
dancing shows in Kandy, you would better to know little bite about Kandyan
dance. The story of Kandyan dance stitch around Kohoma Kankariya with various
dancing forms native to the city of Kandy. According to the legends, there is a
beautiful story with this Kohomba Kankariya. Its runs to King Paduwasdev, who was
suffering from a mysterious illness. The king was suffering from a recurring
dream in which a leopard was directing its tongue towards the king. It says
that it had happened as a black magic of Kuweni to King Vijaya. However,
unfortunately it had affected to King Paduwasdev. Therefore, to cure the king
from this illness they accompanied three shamans from Malaya Rata. Them they
performed the Kohomba Kankariya ans the king got read for the illness and many
inhabitants adopted to the dance.
In the past dancers who were, coming
under a separate cast at Kandyan feudal system originally performed this dance.
They were associated to the Temple of the Tooth Relic and had a major role to
play at Dalada Perahera (procession).
Ves
dance is the most popular part in ritual Kohomba Kankariya. Only males performed
the dance. The elaborate Ves costume, particularly the headgear, is
consider sacred and is believed to belong to the deity Kohomba. Today the
elaborately costumed Ves dancer represents Kandyan dance, which
highlights Sri Lanka's culture.
In
Kandyan dance, there are eighteen Vannam (eighteen forms of dance). Most of
them are describe the behavior of animals. Traditionally a kandyan dancer would
have to learn to perform all of these vannam before they would be
gifted the Ves costume. The eighteen classical Vannam are;
1)Gajaga
Vannama (elephant) 12)Thuraga
Vannama (horse)
2)Mayura
Vannama (peacock) 13)Gahaka
Vannama (conch shell)
3)Uraga
Vannama (crawling animals) 14)Mussaladi
Vannama (hare)
4)Ukkusa
Vannama (eagle) 15)Vayrodi
Vannama (precious stone/gem)
5)Hanuma
Vannama (monkey) 16)Savula
Vannama(rooster)
6)Sinharaja
Vannama(lion) 17)Naaga
Vannama (cobra)
7)Kirala
Vannama (rad wattle lapwing) 18)Eeradi
Vannama (arrow)
8)Surapathi
Vannama (in praise of the goddess Surapathi)
9)Ganapathi
Vannama (in praise of the god Ganapathi)
10) Uduhara Vannama
(expressing the beauty and majesty of the king),
11)Assadhrusa Vannama
(extolling the merit of Buddha).
To
these were added samanala Vannama (butterfly), Bo Vannama (the
sacred Bo tree at Anuradhapura), and Hansa vannama (swan).
The
cultural show in Kandy is one of the most famous evening event. Normally these
shows run between 30min to 1 hour and commence approximately at about 4.00 pm.
Normally a price per person around $10. There are lots of places that perform
the same show. For examples;
Kandiyan
Art Association and Cultural Center, Kandy
YMBA
in Kandy
Red
Cross Holl in kandy
and
some of hotels in kandy are organized this shows daily.
It
is better you reach there early to have a front seat. Because these shows
always fully crowed with toursits.
Ceylon
Tea Museum
Located: In
Hatan . Approximately 3km away from Kandy. ( it’ll take 50 min)
Ceylon Tea Museum, which is an essential visit
when you’re in Kandy. In the year 1925, this tea factory located 4km away from
South of Kandy on the Hatan road. Then, this was abandoned for more than
decade. Later, the Sri Lanka Tea Board and the Planters’ Association of Sri
Lanka republished it.
This museum consists of four floors. The
ground floor and the second floor exhibit very old items of machinery and the
first floor consist of a library and an auditorium with facilities for
audiovisual presentations. The third floor is allocate to tea sales outlets,
where a selection of Sri Lanka's fine tea is available. The entire top floor is
a restaurant. A panoramic view of the Kandy town surrounded by the beautiful
Hunasgiriya, Knuckles Range, and the Matale range of hills view there. The
ground surrounding of the tea museum, landscape with different types of tea.
There are exhibits on tea pioneers James
Taylor and Thomas Lipton, and lots of vintage tea-processing equipment.
Knowledgeable guides are available and there is a free cup of tea in the top-floor tearoom.
The Ceylon Tea Museum is open all days,
except Monday from: 8.15 a.m. to 4.45 p.m. with a lunch break from 12.15 p.m.
to 1.00p.m. It is open half-day on Sunday and closed on Monday, Public and
Mercantile Holidays.
It’ll be impossible for you to visit all
these places on a day but you can select your most favorable places and have a
visit there.
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