Places of Interest - Sri Lanka

"kandy"

Introduction

Kandy is one of the larger cities in Sri Lanka and is the capital of the Central Province. In addition to the large lake with the same name of Kandy, the city is a fun, atmospheric one with a number of very interesting sights. First, the city contains the temple of the "holy tooth" - the canine of Buddha - the "Sri Dalada Maligawa". Not only through this temple, but also through the parade called Kandy Esala Perahera, Kandy is the most important religious city of Sri Lanka. Here the tooth of Buddha is transported by the city on an elephant, but since a while a fake-tooth is taken to prevent theft. This parade is in July or August, during a 10-day party. The last day of the party is during full moon. In addition, "Kandy" contains a number of monasteries, "devales" (prayer houses) and museums. In 1988, Kandy was placed on the World Heritage List by UNESCO.

highlights

"Sri Dalada Maligawa":

In the temple of the "holy tooth" lies the most important Buddhist relic of Sri Lanka; the canine of Buddha. The tooth would have been torn away from the flames of Buddha's cremation in the 6th century BC. and then smuggled into Sri Lanka. From Annuradhapura and India it came back to Sri Lanka where it became a mythical symbol - the one who had power over the tooth would be the governor of the country. The Portuguese would have burned a fake-tooth and the tooth you see now is a replica. The temple around the tooth was to be built in the 17th century and became the most important pilgrimage site in the country. Every Buddhist from Sri Lanka should make the trip to this temple at least once in his lifetime.

"Kandy" lake and gardens:

The lake of "Kandy" was created in 1807 by "Sri Wickrama Rajasinha" who ruled as the last ruler of the "Sinhalese" empire. The islet in the middle of the lake was used as a harem in those days. The British would later use it as an ammunition depot and adjust it slightly tot his purpose. In WWII British general (commander-in-chief East) had his headquarters here somewhere in the good gardens around the lake.

Other attractions:

The National museum, the British garrison cemetery and "Devales" prayer places, the Royal Palace Park and monasteries.

history

It was the last capital of the Singhalese kingdom of Kandy before the whole island fell under British rule in 1815. Until the end of the eighteenth century the coast of Ceylon (the old name for Sri Lanka) was under the control of the Dutch East India Company. This company had a love-hate relationship with the homeland. The VOC was dependent on the king of Kandy who gave the VOC the cinnamon for exercising their monopoly over it. In addition, the VOC obtained betel nuts and elephants. For these three products, there was particular interest in the trade areas in Asia itself. The British immediately started to build a road between Colombo and Kandy that lies about 500 meters above the water level. It took about 11 years. Kandy is mainly known for the Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Tooth), where a canine of Buddha would be kept. The tooth would have been in Sri Lanka since the 4th century AD, with a brief interruption around 1283, when the tooth would have been taken back to India. In the 80s there was a bomb attack of the Tamil Tigers at the entrance of the temple, the reason why they have a fake tooth for parades and ceremonies.

tips & advice (2009)

The city of Kandy actually has only one real bus station - this is popularly called "Goods Shed" and is located one kilometer southwest of the city center. This is where most intercity buses come and leave from. Local buses usually stop in front of the "clock tower". But your (local) bus can also depart from "Station street".

Kandy - Kitulgala: if you want to go to Kitulgala you will have to take the bus to Dalhoussie and then get off at a large intersection on the A7.From there you have to be lucky to get local transport and stop any bus that passes.

Name: Hostel "Pink house"

Address: 15 Saranankara Road

Price: 700 Rp (single)

Phone nr. : 077 7809173

Content:

This hostel is located south of the big lake surrounded by many other hostels and hotels you can choose from. It is a stretch of the busy ring road around the lake in a kind of large bungalow with a big courtyard. The rooms are basic and need a big cleanup. I had a room in the backyard including private shower and toilet. Breakfast is not included but you can order food by the helpful owners. Walk out the right side of the lake, because it is too big to "just" walk around the lake. You can have your laundry done for 30 Rs each.

I have booked for 500 Rs. an evening at the "Kandyan Art Association & Cultural Center". You can enter at 17:30 while the show starts at 18:00. It is located on the north side of the lake and you can basically walk there and back.