All about holidays in Kandy. We offer good options for hotels in Kandy. Kandy - holidays with children

And so, Kandi! One of the largest and most beautiful cities in Sri Lanka, located in the central part of the island at an altitude of 500 meters above sea level. We really wanted to finally get to this city, as it has a completely unique atmosphere and history.

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All guidebooks highlight three main attractions of Kandy: Temple of the Tooth Relic, Big Buddha and Kandy Viewpoint. In addition to them, among the many streets and alleys, small, little-known, but very beautiful temples. In general, this is a very popular place among tourists, but here is what we found in it for ourselves.

Despite the fact that we stayed in the city for three whole days (and most tourists come only for one day), we managed to visit only two of the three attractions.

We saw the Big Buddha first. And this is easily explained, because. the snow-white statue can be seen from all points of the city. That's where we decided to go first. We climbed the mountain with a statue on a tuk-tuk, as the climb is quite long and steep, and the sun is scorching mercilessly J the entrance cost 250 rupees per person, plus a donation at your discretion. This attraction does not have an ancient history - the statue was opened to the public in 1993. It offers a panoramic view of Kandy and the white statue itself impressed us very much. Well, the photos at this place are very nice). Many tourists, out of ignorance, make one mistake that can be interpreted as disrespect for the culture of the country, so remember: you can’t take pictures while standing with your back to the statue (this applies to any image of the Buddha). And also, pay attention to your clothes, it should cover your knees and shoulders. Inspection of the Big Buddha will not take much time, 20 minutes were enough for us, along with the ascent to it and photographs.

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Next, we went on foot to Temple of the Tooth Relic. We spent no more than 20 minutes on the road, at the same time we looked at the city. There are many restaurants, shops, ATMs and other attributes of civilization. In front of the entrance to the temple grounds, you will find rows of stalls selling lotus offerings to the Buddha. It was not in vain that we mentioned attention to your clothes above, because somewhere you can be treated with understanding, but here you simply won’t be let in if the dress code is not followed. Entrance costs 1500 rupees for foreigners. This temple is considered one of the most important places for Buddhists around the world, because. a relic is kept there - the Tooth of the Buddha. You can find the history of this place in many sources on the Internet, there are plenty of them, but we will share our impressions of visiting this complex. First, set aside at least 3 hours for your visit to the temple, so that you can slowly walk through all the halls and feel the energy of this place. Even despite the many tourists and pilgrims, an atmosphere of calm and tranquility hovers here.

But this was not all that we managed to see in Kandy, or rather in its environs. By chance, we stumbled on the Internet for information about a certain Temple of the Four Religions (Ambuluwawa) near Kandy. We went there by train to Gampolla station, the journey took about 40 minutes at most. Then we rented a tuk-tuk for 400 rupees, which took us to the very temple, which is located very high on the mountain. Ambulavava is located on the territory of the botanical garden, where many unique plants are collected, which cannot be found anywhere else on the island. Entrance to the territory cost 600 rupees per person, the Temple itself is free. In fact, this is a small temple complex, in the center of which there is a screw tower, which you can climb and admire the breathtaking view. But, perhaps, we will advise this to do for those who love thrill, because the stairs are outrageously narrow (it is almost impossible for two people to pass), and the railing is not that high and safe. And, to be honest, our knees gave way and our hands trembled from such a dizzying height! The tower itself was built just a few years ago and, unfortunately, the inside already looks rather shabby and dirty. But the views are wow, friends (you can see the picture in our vlog)! You will remember this for a long time! Our practical advice here - rent a tuk-tuk in both directions at once, since we personally encountered such an incident that there was practically no one left in the complex besides us and there was simply nowhere to take a tuk-tuk. We walked for about an hour down to the entrance to the complex on foot. Well, how did we go. Sometimes they walked, and sometimes they ran away with a screech from a horde of monkeys)) There they already met a tuk-tuk. We returned to Kandy in the same way, by train.

In general, we really liked Kandy. Here you can and should stay longer than a day, there are places to go, what to see and eat deliciously. From our finds: the Natural coffee coffee shop right next to the Temple of the Tooth Relic (if you stand with your back to the gate, the coffee shop will be on your right). Let's be honest, there are few caffeine in Moscow that can boast such delicious coffee. It's quiet here cozy atmosphere, classical music is playing, and very serious barista girls slowly but very skillfully brew an invigorating drink. Come here after a tour of the temple or before it, you won't regret it! And if you want to drink something refreshing, welcome to the Secret alley smoothie bar - the prettiest modern design place, with a huge selection of all kinds of smoothies, juices, sandwiches and fresh salads.

And take the time to stroll through the streets of the city, admire Lake Bogambara and slowly get to know this unique corner of Ceylon, so different from other places. Kandy has its own, unique face and character, which are worth paying attention to.

According to the economic situation, the city of Kandy, with a population of about 100 thousand people, ranks second in the republic after Colombo. Located in a mountain range at an altitude of 488 meters above sea level, the city is very picturesque. Its peculiar necklace is the river Mahaweli Ganga with shady banks. The city was founded in the XIV century. At the end of the 16th century, when the Portuguese captured the southwestern and northern coasts of the island, the Sinhalese rulers went to the mountains and founded a state with its capital in Kandy. For 225 years the state was independent, and only in 1815 the British managed to capture the city. The last king was captured and exiled to India, where he died. On March 2, 1815, an agreement was signed with the rulers of Kandy to transfer the government of the island to the British Crown. The agreement marked the end of a 24-century monarchy and the beginning of colonial rule in the country. The island remained a British colony until 1948.

In the center of the city is an artificial lake, the creation of the last king of Kandy. In the center, on a small island, he built the Royal summer palace where he kept his harem. On the shore of the lake is Dalada Maligawa - the temple of the sacred tooth of the Buddha. Since 311, when the tooth appeared on the island in the hair of Princess Hemamala, the relic has become a symbol of sovereignty. One of the most colorful processions in the East is connected with the relic -. Every year, before the full moon of August, the shrine is put on public display. Dozens of elephants covered with bright blankets with bells and illumination, hundreds of dancers, acrobats and musicians take part in the procession passing through the streets of the city.

Kandy is the religious capital and center of Buddhism in the country, so there are two main monasteries here. Asgiriya Monastery was built in the 17th century. Sturdy doors and wood carvings, ancient manuscripts, a 17th-century king's ivory chair, and a large number of gold and ivory items are among the treasures of the monastery. Malwatte Monastery was built in the 16th century. The monastery houses manuscripts, antique furniture and Kandyan chests. In the Kandy area, within a 15-20 minute drive, there are several Buddhist temples 14th-17th centuries, famous for frescoes and wood carvings.

Things to do in Kandy

First of all, you can visit its surroundings. Go to the big Buddha with a magnificent view of the city. Take a tour of, which is located in the vicinity of Kandy. Watch the show. And of course visit the famous.

How to get to Kandy

Detailed description of routes and travel time (by bus from Bandaranaike Airport, Colombo, Negombo, Dambulla, Sigiriya, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Nuwara Eliya, Trincomalee, Matara, Unawatuna, Hikkaduwa, Bentota and by train from Colombo, Ella, Matara, Galle) :

Bus

There are three bus stations in Kandy - Goods Shed (the name is conditional, the Sri Lankans may not know about it) for public and commercial intercity buses, Intercity for express buses (to be confirmed) and a bus station for local routes near the clock tower. Buses depart from the Goods Shed bus station to all major cities of Sri Lanka - Colombo, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Nuwara Eliya, etc. Intercity has commercial express buses to Colombo, Negombo (3-4 hours on the way) and other cities. From the local bus station to Peradeniya (20 min on the way), Matale, Kegalle.

From. On the 1/245 Negombo – Kandy bus passing near the airport (stops outside the airport gate). Travel time 3 hours. Or you can drive through Colombo, but the journey will take longer. To Colombo by bus or which go to the Pettah bus station. Travel time 40-60 minutes.

From Colombo. C by bus 1 Colombo – Kandy. Travel time 4 hours.

From Negombo. By bus 1/245 Negombo - Kandy. Travel time 3.5 hours.

From Dambulla. On passing buses 42-2 Kandy - Anuradhapura, 41-2 Kandy - Kaduruwela, 45 Kandy - Trincomalee. Travel time is 1.5-2 hours.

From Anuradhapura. By bus 42-2 Anuradhapura - Kandy. Travel time is 3-4 hours.

From Polonnaruwa. C by bus 41-2 Kandy - Kaduruwela. Travel time 4.5-5 hours.

From Sigiriya. By bus 490/1 Dambulla - Sigiriya to Dambulla and further as described above. Travel time is 2-3 hours. From Nuwara Eliya. Bus 47 Kandy - Nuwara Eliya. Travel time up to 2 hours. From Trincomalee. By bus 45 Trincomalee - Kandy. Travel time 5.5 - 6 hours.

From Galle. By express bus EX-01-27-01 Galle - Kandy.

From Matara. Take the EX1-22 Matara – Kadawatha bus to the Kadawatha bus station and go to the Kandy Road stop where you can take any passing to Kandy, for example, 1 Colombo – Kandy.

From the cities of the southwest coast: Matara, Unawatuna, Hikkaduwa, Bentota, etc.. Bus 2 Colombo - Matara, 2/1 Colombo - Galle, or train to and from Colombo as described above.

Train

From Colombo. By train Colombo Fort - Kandy. Eight trains a day. Travel time 2.5 hours.

From Matara, Galle. With a docking in Colombo, train Matara - Colombo Fort. Seven trains a day. Travel time 3.5 hours. And then by train Colombo Fort - Kandy. In addition, there is one direct train per day from Matara to Kandy.

From Nuwara Eliya (Nanuoya station). Train Nanuoya - Kandy. Four trains a day. Travel time 3 hours.

From Ella. Elle-Kandy train. Three trains a day. Travel time 6.5 hours.

Some trains on the Colombo Fort - Badulla route do not enter Kandy, but stop at Peradeniya station in the suburbs of Kandy.

Kandy, Sri Lanka: map, attractions, how to get there

The city of Kandy is located 107 km from Colombo International Airport and 222 km from the popular resort town of Galle, in the central part of the island. Kandy is the second largest city after Colombo island nation Sri Lanka, as well as the southern tip of the country's Cultural Triangle. Also, the city, until 1815, was the capital of the last independent kingdom of Kandy.

Kandy is one of the most popular tourist sites in Sri Lanka. The most famous landmark in the city is the Temple of the Tooth Relic (also called Sri Dalada Maligawa), recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Kandy hotels and guesthouses are mainly located on the slopes of the mountains surrounding man-made lake, with a panoramic view of the city.

The city is part of the administrative region of Kandy and is the capital of the Central Province of the island, located on the shores of Lake Bogambara, at an altitude of 500 m above sea level. Kandy has a unique, special atmosphere, and its architecture only complements this impression. The specially designed, patterned walls of Walakulu Bamma, meaning "wall of clouds" in Sinhalese, fringe the waterfront of Lake Bogambara to give the impression of being framed by clouds.

The snow-white walls have triangular holes, into which at night, now only on holidays, small oil lamps are inserted, used not only for decorative purposes, but also for street lighting.

The Valakulu wall project was not completed because The kingdom of Kandy fell under the pressure of the British conquerors. The river that flows through the city is called the Mahaveli Ganga. Mahaweli Ganga is the longest river in Sri Lanka.

Map of Kandy, Sri Lanka

Name of the city of Kandy

The exact origin of the name is unknown, presumably earlier the city of Kandy was called the "Prosperous Capital of Senkadagala" (Senkadagala Siriwardhana Maha Nuwara), this name was shortened over time to Maha Nuwara (great city / capital). Moreover, in Sri Lanka, the name Maha Nuwara is currently actively used, it can often be found in transport schedules.

There is, and even historically entrenched, also another version of the origin of the name "Kandy" since the time of colonization: according to this version, it comes from the words Kanda Uda Pas Rata, which means "land on the mountain" in Sinhala.

Attractions Kandy

Temple of the Tooth Relic / Sri Dalada Maligawa
(Sri Dalada Maligawa)

The temple, located on the lake, in close proximity to the royal palace, is considered one of the most important places of worship for Buddhists around the world, because. one of the two surviving relics, the Tooth of the Buddha, is kept there. The second is kept in Somawathi Chetiya in the suburbs of Polonnaruwa. The Temple of the Tooth Relic was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988.

Kandy was the capital of the kingdom of the same name from 1592 to 1815. Especially for the storage of the relic in Kandy, the temple of Sri Dalada Maligawa was erected, built in the 16th century by King Vimaladharmasuriya I. The king moved the relic from the temple in Delgamuwa, where it had been stored earlier. At the beginning of the 18th century, the temple was restored.

The temple building was rebuilt several times, the last Kandyan king Wickrama Rajasinghe erected an octagon to accommodate the shrine - Octagon / Pattiripuwa (Octagon / Pattiripuwa), although located on the palace territory, it is part of the temple.

The entrance to the temple is through Maha Vahalkadda, the entrance has two sides: the outer Valakullu Bamma (wall of clouds) and Diyarelli Bamma (wall of water ripples). After passing Vahalkada and the moat, there is the Ambarava tunnel. After passing through it, you will get to the first floor of the temple complex. The lower floor of the building is called Pallemaluwa. This inner room is provided with a large wooden door and is decorated with bronze and ivory. The area in front of the door is called Hevisi Mandapaya (drummers' yard) where daily rituals are held.

The relic is kept on the top floor of the temple in a chamber called Vadahitina Maligawa. The door of this room is covered with gold, silver and ivory. The tooth is enclosed in seven golden caskets nested one inside the other and adorned with precious stones. The outer box is decorated with precious stones presented to the relics by various rulers. The relic itself was virtually never seen, except by British explorers and the reigning monarchs of Ceylon.

In the 20th century, the Temple of the Tooth Relic was attacked by LTTE terrorists on January 25, 1998, when the terrorists detonated a bomb, killing 8 people. The explosion damaged many buildings located next to the temple, but the relic itself survived and did not suffer any damage.

Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy is open daily from 5:30 to 20:00. Services (Thevava) are held daily, three times a day: 5:30-7:00, 9:30-11:00 and 18:30-20:00. The temple also hosts the Saffaron Water Festival every Wednesday.

Every year, the Temple of the Tooth Relic takes part in 6 festivals (perakheras):

• January: Aluth Shal Mangallaya - New Harvest Festival (Aluth Shal Mangallaya);
• April: New Year's Festival for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year (Sinhala & Tamil New Year);
• May: Vesak Perahera & Upasampada Ceremony for the birthday, enlightenment and paranirvana of the Buddha (Vesak Perahera & Upasampada Ceremony);
• June: Poson Perahera;
• July - August: Kandy Esala Perahera;
• November: Festival of Lights (Karthik Festival).

Old Royal Palace of Kandy
(Old Kandy Royal Palace)

The remains of the buildings observed today in the Royal Palace of Kandy are the residence of the last king of the Kingdom of Kandy, Sri Vikrama Rajasinghe (1797 - 1814). The original building of the palace was burned and destroyed several times throughout its history and rebuilt and rebuilt by subsequent kings. Today, the former royal chambers are used as district courts.

The first building of the palace was built by King Wikramabahu III, the ruler of the Gampola Kingdom in the 14th century, then he passed to the Senasamata Wikramabahu in the 15th century, after which the palace was owned by Vimaladharmasuriya I in the 16th century. Each of them carried out various changes and expansions of the existing palace.

During the reign of King Senarat, at the beginning of the 17th century, the Portuguese attacked the kingdom of Kandy and destroyed the palace. King Rajasinghe II restored the palace in the middle of the 17th century and then subsequent Sinhalese kings used it as their Royal Palace until 1815, when the kingdom became a British colony. By the end of the reign of the last king of the independent kingdom of Kandy, Sri Vikrama Rajasinghe in the 18th century, the palace already consisted of many buildings.

After the British invasion, the palace was used as the seat of government offices. Today, only the entrance, located to the left of the Temple of the Tooth Relic, remains from the old royal palace. In this building on this moment is the Museum of the Department of Archeology.

Magul Maduwa Assembly Hall
(Magul Maduwa / Audience Hall)

The assembly hall of Magul Maduwa is also called Magul Naduwa ( supreme court), the building was so named because the kings of Kandy used it for courts.

The assembly hall was built in 1783 by King Rajadi Rajasinghe, the building of Magul Maduwa is a witness to many historical events. This place is considered the hall where the missionaries carried out "the most terrible cruelties."

So, in the Assembly Hall, documents were signed on the transfer of power over the last independent Sinhala kingdom of Kandy to Great Britain in 1815, and documents were drawn up here on imposing the death penalty on participants in counter-colonial patriotic uprisings. After the transfer of power to the British, the Assembly Hall, where the royal courts had previously been held, was transferred to the church. Services and sermons began to be held in Magul Maduva.

The original Assembly Hall we see today was rebuilt and enlarged by the British to host the Prince of Wales' reception in 1875.

To expand the building, 32 carved wooden columns were taken from the Pale Vahale building (now National Museum) and replaced by brick pillars. Of these 32 pillars, 16 were used to expand Magul Maduwa: 8 pillars were installed on each side of the building, the old pillars were replaced with new wooden bases. Now the building has two rows of delicately carved pillars, each of the rows includes 32 pillars, on these pillars there is a roof made in the Kandyan style.

Fountain of coffee planters
(Coffee Planters Fountain)

Before tea became the country's main export, Ceylon was one of the largest coffee producers in the world. Coffee production reached its peak by 1870, at which time coffee plantations in Ceylon occupied more than 110,000 hectares.

When the Prince of Wales announced his intention to visit Ceylon, the coffee planters built a fountain to mark the occasion. The bowl of the fountain is made in the form of a coffee flower, it was made at the factory in Glasgow and imported to Ceylon in parts.

The Coffee Planters' Fountain was assembled in Kandy and first launched for the Prince of Wales in 1873. After that, the fountain was not rebuilt and came to us in its original form.

Lake Bogambara / Kiri Muhuda
(Bogambara Lake / Kiri Muhuda)

The city of Kandy is located on the banks of the artificial mountain lake Bogambara, at an altitude of 500 m above sea level. An ornamental lake was dug in 1807 on the site rice field Sinhala king Vikram Rajasinghe. To preserve the decorativeness of the lake, local population fishing was banned there.

The second name of the lake is "Kiri muhuda", it is translated from Sinhalese as "Milk Sea". In the middle of Lake Bogambara, on an island, is the Royal Summer House.

The king's ministers advised the king to pursue more practical projects instead of building a lake, as the resources of the kingdom of Kandy by this point were already depleted by the opposition of Britain. However, the king did not heed the advice of the ministers and the project was implemented, and the kingdom a few years later, due to the short-sighted and irrational policy of the king, was captured by the British colonialists.

Sri Dalada Museum
(Sri Dalada Museum)

The Sri Dalada Museum is located on the grounds of the royal palace, it is located on the upper floors of the Alut Maligawa building. The Sri Dalada Museum occupies the top two floors.

The exposition of the museum includes many different gifts made to the Temple of the Tooth Relic, antique letters from the times of colonialism, ceremonial items, sculptures of Sinhalese kings, archaeological excavations and much more. The museum is open from Saturday to Thursday from 09:00 to 17:00, Friday is a day off.

Ulpange Royal Baths
(Ulpange/Royal Bathhouse)

The royal baths are part of the palace complex of the king of the Kandyan kingdom, Sri Vikrama Rajasinghe.

The baths consist of two parts: one is located on land, near the temple of the tooth of the Buddha, the second part is on the water, in the waters of Lake Bogambara.

On the opposite side of the road from the Temple of the Tooth Relic are the royal baths used by the king's wives and concubines (Royal Bathhouse). During the British rule, a second floor was added to the baths, and the room was turned into a library, at the moment it houses the police department.

International Museum of Buddhism
(International Buddhist Museum)

The International Museum of Buddhism is located on the territory of the palace complex. The museum's collection contains statues and images of the Buddha, models of Buddhist temples around the world.

The exposition of the museum allows you to visually demonstrate the spread of the traditions of Buddhism in Asia and around the world. The museum is interesting for visiting with children, it gives a general idea of ​​the subject, clearly demonstrating the differences.

Photography is not allowed in the International Museum of Buddhism. Entrance to the museum: 500 rupees. Opening hours: 9.00-20.00.

Hindu temples - four Devalayas
(Maha Vishnu, Natha, Paththini, Khaali Devalaya)

Four Hindu temples are dedicated to the gods Vishnu and Nath, and the goddesses Pattini and Kali. The temples are located on the territory of Sri Dalada Maligawa, in close proximity to the Buddhist Temple of the Tooth Relic.

The Vishnu Devalaya Temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu and is located north of Nata Devalaya. Natha Devalaya is dedicated to the Hindu god Nath.

Pattini Devalaya is dedicated to the goddess Pattini, who is addressed to get rid of various childhood and infectious diseases, as well as to propitiate her during a drought. Pattini Devalaya is one of the objects of the festive Perahera.

Hindu Temple Kataragama Devalaya
(Kataragama Devalaya)

The temple is located outside the territory of Sri Dalada Maligawa, on Kotugodella st. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Kataragama, also known as Murugan, Arumugam, Kandasami, Sabramaniam.

According to Tamil beliefs, the god Skanda arrived in Sri Lanka after a violent quarrel with his wife Thevani, and there he took as his wife a sixteen-year-old concubine from the southern region of Sri Lanka - from Kataragama.

Temple and Monastery of Malwatu Maha Viharaya
(Malwathu Maha Viharaya)

The temple complex is located in the city, on the south side of Lake Bogambara, on Saranankara Mawatha Street. There are two temples on the territory of the complex: Malwatu Maha Viharaya (second name Pushparama Viharaya), and Sirimalwaththa Temple (also called Poyamalu Viharaya).

The Poyamalu Viharaya Temple was built in the early 16th century. Sinhala king Senasammata Vikramabahu (Senasammata Vikramabahu). According to the chronicles, the king built another 86 monasteries for monks from the monastic brotherhoods of Malwathu and Asgiri Viharaya. Initially, the monastery was built for only three monks.

The Malwatu Maha Viharaya Temple is one of the two main temples of the Theravardin Buddhist monastic community of the Siam Nikaya order. Currently, the Malwatu Maha Viharaya temple complex serves as a meeting place for the Sangha and also attracts thousands of tourists every year.

Udawattakele nature reserve
(Udawattakele Sanctuary)

Udwawttakele Nature Reserve, or Royal Forest Park as it is also called, is located on a hillside behind the Sri Dalada Maligawa complex. During the reign of the Sinhalese kings, visiting Udawattakele was forbidden for the local population.

After the fall of the kingdom of Kandy, the state of the forests in the region began to deteriorate sharply, deforestation began. The territory became a reserve in 1856, then in 1938 the territory was included in the list of objects protected by the state.

In the reserve there is a pond, the highest peak of Kodimale (Kodimale), Senkanda cave (Senkanda), and cemetery Garrison (Garrison), several Buddhist temples and hermitages. Also in the Udawattakele Reserve grows a giant liana 200-300 years old, called "Pus Wela" or "Entada pusaetha".

Kandy Clock Tower / Ismail
(Kandy/Ismail Clock Tower)

The history of the creation of the Kandy Clock Tower, also called the Ismail Clock Tower, is very tragic: in August 1947, the city of Kandy experienced a severe flood that caused numerous landslides in the area. The bridge across the Mahaweli River to the Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya was completely submerged.

Haji Mohamed Ismail owned a company during this period to import British cars to Ceylon. One day on August 14, 1947, Ismail's son, Mohamed Zakki Ismail, traveled from Colombo to Kandy in a car with his brother-in-law, friend and driver. In Kadugannawa, the car was buried under a landslide and all four occupants were killed.

For Mohamed Ismail, the only consolation was the creation of a memorial to his son. He learned that the city of Kandy needed a clock tower. The Kandy municipality had already purchased the land on which the clock tower is now installed, and Ismail paid for its development and construction. The design of the clock tower is made in the Kandyan style. All equipment needed for the project was brought from the UK. The Kandy Clock Tower was completed on December 23, 1950.

Temple with Buddha statue Bahirawa Kanda
(Bahirawa Kanda Buddha Statue)

A huge Buddha statue sitting on a hill is visible from anywhere in Kandy. Bahirawa Kanda Temple is located 2 km from Kandy. The name "Bahirava Kanda" is translated as "mountain spirit mountain".

According to the first legend, Bahirava Devalaya was located on the top of Bahirava-Kanda. According to legend, hundreds of beautiful girls were sacrificed in this place to Bahirawa Deviyo. These temples flourished during the time of the Nayakkar kings. One day, the bride of one of the royal commanders who controlled the king's elephants was sentenced to be sacrificed at the Bahirava Puja ceremony, but he intervened and freed his bride. This marked the end of the practice of the Bahirava Puja sacrifice ceremony, and the Bahirava Devalaya temple itself was destroyed over time.

According to the second legend, during the time of the kingdom of Kandy, a terrible roar began to be heard every day from the mountain where Bahirava Kanda is now located, frightening the inhabitants of the city. People decided that this was the work of the evil spirit of the mountains, demanding a sacrifice to him, then they turned to the king, but he did not know what to do. His minister came to the king and advised him to propitiate the evil spirit of the mountains by annually sacrificing a beautiful virgin to him. The minister did so because he himself was also evil spirit, and the king ordered a sacrifice, and the bride of the son of the minister was chosen as the victim. At night, the girl was taken to the mountain and left her there, but her fiancé came for her and saved her, fighting with the evil mountain spirit. After rescuing the bride, the son of the minister made the same sound that people heard every day from the mountain, and they thought that the sacrifice was accepted. That same night, the couple ran away from the city.

What to see around Kandy

Royal Botanic Gardens in Peradeniya
(Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya)

Royal Botanical Garden is located 6 km from Kandy in the city of Peradeniya. The Sri Lanka Botanical Garden covers an area of ​​about 60 hectares, its collection includes more than 4,700 plant species, including rare orchids, spices, medicinal plants, royal palms, banyan trees, etc.

Peradeniya is one of the most popular tourist places in Sri Lanka, it is visited by more than 2 million people a year.

The Botanical Garden is open all year round, daily from 8.00 to 17.30, tickets are sold until 17:00.

Temples of Asgiri Maha Viharaya
(Asgiri Maha Viharaya)

To the north of Lake Bogambara is the ancient Buddhist temple complex Asgiri Maha Viharaya. The temple complex was founded by Sirivardana, the commander of the royal army, on behalf of the monarch of the kingdom of Kurunegala Parakramabahu IV in the early 14th century.

Initially, the temple building was created as a monastic training center for the residence and training of monks. The first monks to settle in Asgiri Viharaya were monks from the Valasgala hermitage in Yapahuwa. According to legend, the name "Asgiri" was formed by translating the name "Valasgala" into Pali as "Acchagiri".

The first reconstruction of the buildings took place during the reign of King Vimaladharmasurya II in the early 18th century, when he built a wall around the city. Then, during the reign of King Rajadi Rajasinghe at the end of the 18th century, the streets of Kandy were straightened, as a result of which the old temple buildings were destroyed, and a new temple was built in Umadadapot. This place is now known as Pahala Pansala (lower temple).

Among the historical monuments belonging to Asgiri Maha Viharaya, there are Purana and Alut Viharaya (old and new temples). In the old Purana Viharaya temple, built in 1768, there is a statue of a seated Buddha. The new temple of Alut Viharaya was built in 1801, inside it is an 11-meter statue of a reclining Buddha, carved from the rock.

Adahanamaluwa Gedige Temple
(Adahanamaluwa Gedige)

The Adahanamalyuwa Gedige temple is the second oldest monument in the city and is in the same architectural style as the Natha Dewale and Gadaladeniya Vihara temples. According to legend, the temple of Asgiriya was named after Chandravati, the queen mother of the ruler Vikramabahu, who was cremated at the current Adahan Maluwa cremation site.

One of the most important monuments located on the territory of Asgiri Maha Vihara is the temple of Gedige Viharaya in Adahana Maluva, which means "Royal Land of Cremation". The temple had three levels: Uda Malyuva (upper terrace), Meda (central) and Palle (lower terrace). The cremation of members of the royal family took place at Meda Malyuwa, hence the temple was known as Adahanamaluwa Gedige Viharaya.

In 1878-1880, during the construction of the railway in Matale near Adahanamalyuwa, a tunnel was built, and the last of the royal tombs was destroyed.

Lankatilaka Viharaya Temple
(Lankatilaka Vihara)

The temple is located 15 km from Kandy, in the city of Hiripitiya. Lankatilaka Temple is a beautifully preserved example of traditional Sinhalese architecture. Initially, the building of the temple included 4 floors (now 3), in total the height of the building is about 80m.

The central objects of the temple complex are the traditional Bo tree, the Maitreya Buddha statue, the footprint of the Buddha and the Vihara Ge Temple. On the western side are 5 Devilai - five places of generation for the deities: Upulvan or Vishnu (Upulvan), Saman (Saman), Vibhishana (Vibhishana), Ganapathi (Ganapathi) and Kumara Bandara (Kumara Bandara). The god Kumara Bandara was considered the protector of the Lankatilaka temple.

The temple was founded in the 14th century, in the pre-colonial era of the Gampola Kingdom, by the Sinhalese king Buwanekabahu IV. King Buwanekabahu IV, who reigned in the mid-14th century, chose Gampola as his kingdom and built this temple with the help of South Indian architect Sthapati Rayar.

The five Sinhalese kings following Buwanekabahu IV also chose Gampola as their kingdom. And although the Gampola kings were not strong warriors, they made a significant contribution to the art of Sri Lanka.

Temple of Embekka Devalaya
(Embekka Devalaya / Embekke Temple)

Embekka is the name of the place, Devalaya is the place of worship. The temple is located on the road to Gampola, 15 km from the city of Kandy and 10 km from Peradeniya.

The second name of the temple is Kataragama Deviyo (Katharagama Deviyo), served as a place of worship for the local deity Devata Bandara.

The temple was built in the 14th century. Sinhalese king Vikramabahu III (Vikramabahu III) during the era of the kingdom of Gampola. Embekka Temple is considered to be one of the finest examples of wood carving art, with fine carvings decorating the entrance, doors and 32 pillars of the temple. To the left of Embekk Devalaya are the ruins of Ambalama Devalaya, an ancient resting place for travelers, also built by King Wikramabahu III.

Temple of Gadaladeniya Raja Maha Vihara
(Gadaladeniya Raja Maha Vihara)

The temple was founded in the 14th century, during the era of the Kingdom of Gampola, by the Sinhalese king Buwanekabahu IV (Buwanekabahu IV). South Indian architect Ganesvarachari was invited to build the temple.

The main shrine of the temple is a statue of Buddha under the protection of Makara Thorana, surrounded by the gods Brahma (Brahma), Suyama (Suyama), Santhusuta (Santhusuta), Nath (Natha) and the Buddha Maitreya (Maithree).

Inside the shikhara (dome) there was previously an image of the Buddha, which was destroyed during the era of the conquest by the Portuguese. Next to the altar room is Devalaya, dedicated to the god Vishnu. According to the great Sinhalese chronicle Mahavamsa, Upulvan Deiyo was founded here, thus Vishnu was chosen as the patron god to protect the land of Sri Lanka and Buddhism.

How to get to Kandy

To Kandy from Colombo Airport:

• by bus No. 1/245 Negombo-Kandy directly from the stop at the airport;
• by bus number 187 from the airport to Colombo (see below);
• by tuk-tuk to Negombo bus station, then by bus number 1/245;

To Kandy from Colombo:

• by train, there are about 8 trains per day Colombo-Kandy;
• by bus number 1 Colombo-Kandy;
• by bus number 8 Colombo-Matali;
• by bus number 79 Colombo-Nuwara Eliya;

In Kandy from the southwest coast:

• by bus number 2, 32, 60 to Colombo, from Colombo by train or bus (see above);
• by train to Colombo, from Colombo by bus or train (see above);
• by bus number 17 from Panadura; No. 315/1 from Khorana;
• by bus number 10 from Kataragama;

In Kandy from the northeast coast:

• by bus number 45 Trincomalee-Kandy;
• by bus number 22 from Ampara.

Kandy Photos

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Weather in Kandy

Kandy, like its surrounding cities, is located above the low-lying coastal areas, so the average temperatures there are lower than on the coast. The average annual daytime temperature is +28C, at night +20C. Kandy is suitable for visiting almost all year round, but the driest period is from January to March, as well as July-August, during the traditional Perahera.

The wettest, rainiest months in Kandy are the periods of influence of two rainy seasons, bringing rainfall to the city from the west and east coasts: April-May and October-November.

The city is usually chosen as one of the points of the route, heading further north - to Dambulla, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, or south - to the Central Highlands.

History of Kandy

The first mention of the city dates back to the middle of the 16th century, during the reign of King Gampola Wikramabahu III (Wickramabahu III). From 1527 to 1658 there was a Sinhala-Portuguese war, between the Sinhalese kingdom and the Portuguese troops. As a result of this confrontation, by the end of the war, all the Portuguese invaders were expelled from the island of Ceylon. Kandy became the capital of the last Sinhalese kingdom in 1592. The transfer of the capital was caused by the capture of coastal lands by the Portuguese: due to the impassability of roads and the isolation of the mountainous part of the country, the new one was much safer than the previous capital Kurunegala. The relic, symbolizing royalty, the tooth of the Buddha, was brought to Kandy by King Wimaladharmasuriya I, who brought it from the Delgamuwa temple in Sabaragamuwa, the ruins of which have not survived to date.

In the period 1761-1766, the kingdom fought against the Dutch invaders, who by that time had already occupied the coast of the island. The Kingdom of Kandy tolerated the Dutch presence on the coast of Sri Lanka, although clashes did occur from time to time. The most ambitious offensive was undertaken by the Kandyan kingdom in 1761, when King Kirti Sri Rajasinha attacked the Dutch and captured most of the coast, leaving the Dutch with only the heavily fortified city of Negombo.

When the Dutch punitive force returned to the island in 1763, Kirti Sri Rajasinha relinquished control coastline and withdrew troops inland. Then, in 1764, the Dutch continued their offensive, but their path ran through the jungle, they were pursued by illness, heat, and lack of provisions. The situation was aggravated by the fact that the Kandyan army, hiding in the jungle, caused serious damage to the Dutch army. The Dutch army suffered heavy losses and therefore the offensive was unsuccessful.

In January 1765, the Dutch army took steps to change the tactics of warfare: stockpiled provisions, changed uniforms to more oriented jungle campaigns, changed bayonets to machetes. Thus, the Dutch reached the capital of the kingdom - Kandy, after which they discovered that the city was empty. The Sinhalese army retreated into the jungle, refusing to conduct an open battle, moving into a long war that exhausted the enemy, which had some success - despite all the preparations, the Dutch troops suffered significant losses. The result of the war was the signing of the peace treaty of Batticaloa (Treaty of Batticaloa) in 1766, according to which the Dutch remained under the control coastal areas, the situation remained so until 1796.

Since 1796, the territories that were under the control of the Dutch (belonging to France) came under the control of the British Empire under the Treaty during the French Revolutionary Wars, during this period Britain, due to the military losses of other European countries, became the foremost world power. British possession of Ceylon was documented in 1802 by the Treaty of Amiens (Treaty of Amiens). In 1803, the British Empire invaded Kandy, which marked the beginning of the First Kandian War, but the advance was repulsed by the army of the kingdom.

The British made a second attempt to take over the kingdom of Kandy in 1815, starting the Second Kandyan War. The British launched an invasion, but did not meet any serious resistance on the way and reached the capital of the kingdom of Kandy on February 10, 1815. The last king of Kandy, Sri Vikram Rajasinha, of South Indian ancestry, as a result of his activities, the king faced strong opposition from the Sinhalese aristocracy of the Radalas, who sought to strengthen their own power. The successful coup and overthrow of the king of Kandy was orchestrated by the Sinhalese aristocrats in February 1815.

On March 2, 1815, the Treaty (Kandyan Convention) was signed between the aristocracy of Ceylon Radalas and the British. With this treaty, Ceylon recognized George III as its king and became a British colony. It was a unique treaty - it was not signed by the deposed king himself, but it was signed by dignitaries of various levels.

The last king of the kingdom, Sri Vikram Rajasinha, was captured and imprisoned by the British, and subsequently exiled to Vellora Fort in southern India, along with all the pretenders to the throne. Some of the family members were exiled to the city of Tanjore (now known as Thanjavur, in Tamil Nadu). The residence of the family of the last king of Kandy, located in the eastern part of the city, is still called "Kandy Raja Aranmanai".

In 1817-1818 the Great Rebellion took place in Uva, also called the Third Kandyan War. The uprising was brutally suppressed by the British. As a result of this uprising, the entire Sinhalese aristocracy was practically destroyed. During their reign, the British expropriated the land of the peasants, which actually led them to extreme poverty. The inhabitants of Kandy were forced to abandon their traditional way of life, the maintenance of their own farms and become hired workers.

In the 1830s, the British brought coffee to the island and started building the railway. The working conditions of hired workers on the plantations were so terrible that the Kandyan peasants, despite their poverty, refused to work as slave labor for the British. This caused the British to bring hundreds of thousands of Tamil coolies (laborers) from South India to Ceylon. Tens of thousands of Tamils ​​died while traveling and then working on the plantations. The British aristocracy needed money all the time, so more and more taxes were introduced, which became an unbearable burden for the population.

In 1848, the Matale Rebellion took place in Ceylon. The uprising began on July 26, 1848 in Dambulla with the blessing of the Buddhist monk Gongalegoda Banda, proclaimed "unmarried king", and Veera Puran Appu, proclaimed prime minister of Ceylon. Their main goal was to capture Kandy and gain independence from the British Empire. The instigators of the riot were caught, tried and expelled to Malaysia.

The revolt in Matali, or the Great Revolt, was the result of the predatory policy of Britain in relation to the population of colonial Ceylon, the rebels were mainly peasants and artisans, thus, for the first time in the history of Ceylon, the uprising was led by ordinary people, because. the Sinhala nobility was almost completely destroyed during the uprising in Uva. The uprising in Matali is considered the first step towards the transition of the anti-colonial uprising into the struggle for the independence of Ceylon from Britain.

In 1944, during the Second World War, the command of the army of the allied forces in Southeast Asia was transferred to Kandy, where it was based until the end of the war.

In 1998, terrorists from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) tried to drive into the Temple of the Tooth Relic in a truck filled with explosives, several people were killed and injured, but the explosion did not cause significant damage to the temple.

The city of Kandy in Sri Lanka will not leave you indifferent and will be remembered for a long time. A trip to the mountain town of Kandy will be remembered as another pleasant impression of Sri Lanka. When your eyes open views from which you want to fly, then you want to return to this place again and again.

After a long journey from Unawatuna with a change in Colombo, we arrived at our destination - the railway station of the city of Kandy. The conductor from the train tagged us, trying to get us into a taxi, but was successfully sent. After that, 100 meters from the station, we caught a tuk-tuk for 150 rupees and successfully reached the hotel.

• Read:

Kandy Railway Station

We checked into a wonderful hotel with a pool and a view of the valley -.

Kandy city in Sri Lanka

Kandy is not very Big city. The population is about 100 thousand people, mostly Muslims. Walking through local sights delivers exceptionally positive emotions.

The streets of the city are winding. Many houses were built in the mountains, when you look at these buildings you wonder how it was possible to build in such conditions.

Beauty opens from a height when you see the city at a glance. Mountains, forests, fog that accompanies Kandy almost every day and many bats and dogs at night. Kandy is located in the mountains, so there are wonderful views, Fresh air and chill.

• Important:

Weather in Kandy

The weather is radically different from the beach villages. Mostly during the day +26 +28С, in the evening + 23, at night it is even colder. The coolness was very useful to us after so many days spent in hot weather. Luckily, we came at the right time and Right place by chance. But more on that later. And now the sights of Kandy, which we were lucky to see.

What to see in Kandy in 2 days

Temple of the Tooth Relic

Temple tickets: 1000 rupees. What to wear: cover your shoulders and knees, hand in your shoes before entering (or take with you in a bag).

What to see in Kandy first of all? All tourists are brought to visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic - this is the main attraction of Kandy. On the square in front of the entrance to the territory, enterprising Sri Lankans will offer you skirts at a price of 400 to 1000 rupees. They will assure that even men cannot enter the territory in shorts.

• Now they are reading:

Temple of the Tooth in Kandy

As with everything in Sri Lanka, you have to pay to enter the temple. Tickets to the temple are sold for 1,000 rupees ($6) per person. By the way, at the entrance you need to take off your shoes and hand them over to the storage room, of course, also for a fee of 300 rupees.

We handed the camera into the safe hands of our fellow travelers, who really wanted to get inside. They took some good pictures.

After looking at the pictures and listening to the story from the girls, we were convinced that we had done right choice that remained to admire the temple from the outside.

• Healthy:

It looks like the Temple of the Tooth Relic inside

Kandy lake

Kandy Lake, located in the very center of the city, we liked. Beautiful views and lots of big fish. And if you go a little further along the lake, you can meet large monitor lizards.

Near the lake there are locals who try to talk to you. Typical questions: where did you come from, how long have you been traveling in Sri Lanka, do you like the country, etc. In a minute they are already asking for cigarettes or some money. Apparently, no one in Sri Lanka can just walk past a tourist without asking him for anything.

• This is interesting:

Jewelry stores

For people who are interested in buying gems and jewelry, there is plenty to do in Kandy. The girls and I visited one of these shops. Although it is official, it is possible to bring down the price a little. Products are beautiful and very cheap compared to Russian prices. Also, prices here are lower than on the coast.

• Read:

Leather goods

Passing through the main places visited by tourists, you will come across shops with leather goods. The choice is very large, slates, vests, hats, wallets, bags and leather stools. The skin is often hard and not very pleasant to the touch. Apparently in Lanka they tan leather in a special way.

• Read also:

Walk around the city of Kandy "where the eyes look"

Walking alone in Kandy is quite interesting. Since our stay in the city lasted only 3 days, we did not miss the opportunity and walked along the streets, looking at everything around, going into shops and studying the local way of life. Photos of Kandy taken in different parts of the city:

City center

On the picture: central Street Kandy

We especially remember the smiles and eyes of the children! These smiles were not fake, you can’t play like that. Unlike adults, children do not need to breed you for money, deceive and lie. They are just happy for tourists and those who smile back at them.

cultural show

Our guide suggested that we visit some kind of tourist cultural show with dances and dances. You had to pay 500 rupees for entry. We collectively refused. And they did it right.

The very next day, walking around the center, we got to the parade. It was a celebration of grandiose proportions by local standards. This holiday is celebrated twice a year. We are lucky! Roads are blocked, elegant elephants walk along the roadway, dancers dressed in colorful national costumes perform religious dances.

And we, with our mouths open, rushed to the epicenter of events, like thousands of staring tourists.

Video of cultural show in Kandy

flying dogs

Bats and dogs are not uncommon. On the way to we saw a tree on which several hundred flying dogs nest.

During the day, these creatures sleep peacefully upside down on a tree, and after dark they come out to hunt. People are not approached. They can dive and drink some water from your pool. Very smart and interesting. They look like bats, only big and with the head of a dog. They are also called flying foxes. Some even wanted to touch

Spice plantation (divorced)

We looked at the spice plantation, where a kind Sri Lankan in Russian told everything intelligibly about all the herbs. Entrance is free, but at the end of the "tour" you need to listen to a 15-minute lecture about the drugs they produce, smell the jars and endure the "free" massage. You have to exit through their store.

Then he organized a "free" massage for us, advertising these "miraculous" remedies. The massage is very mediocre. It is not very pleasant for a man when another man gently rubs his face with cream.

After a massage on a voluntary-compulsory basis, you need to leave a tip. We gave our masseurs 500 rupees for two. The money was received with such a face that it became clear that they were waiting for much more. After that, the guide took everyone to the store, where the prices went off scale to the limit. Read more about similar spice plantations in the article:.

These 3 days, filled with a charge of inspiration, flew by like one. Thanks to Kandy, we saw another Sri Lanka, less touristy, more real and alive. We advise everyone to go to Kandy on their own or with a guided tour.

Hotels in Kandy

• Hantana Home Stay(rating 9.4 out of 10)
• 38b Homestay Heerassagala(rating 9.6)
• Mountain View Holiday Home(rating 9.5)
• Greenwood Edge Hanthana— hotel in the mountains (rating 9.9)
• Hill City Mansion— inexpensive hotel near the railway station

All hotels in Kandy

The way back from Kandy to Unawatuna

Traveled to Kandy and back by train. I will talk about this route in a separate article:

The city of Kandy, the so-called third capital of the island, has its own special history and status among the cities of Sri Lanka: it is considered a sacred place for Buddhists all over the world. I felt this especially vividly when I was in Kandy on the days of the Esala Perahera holiday, when on the streets of the city, in temples, cafes, parks I saw Buddhists from numerous countries of the world, of different nationalities, skin colors, but they all had one common goal. The dominant and reason for a visit to Kandy for a tourist, traveler, pilgrim is a visit to the sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic (I wrote more about it). I have never seen such magic, sacred meaning, unity of worship of a sacred relic anywhere.

I confess that there are also disadvantages of periods of active pilgrimage to Kandy: crowds of people everywhere, a large number of tourists, noise, overpriced prices in hotels and guest houses. But if you prefer a more relaxed atmosphere, to visit this UNESCO-listed cultural and religious center of the country, as well as its surroundings, choose any month except August.

The traditions of Kandy are somewhat different from the rest of Sri Lanka. This can be seen from national clothes, which is still worn by the newlyweds, entering into marriage; differences are manifested in rituals, many forms of art, for example, dancing and painting. The reason is that Kandy has been an independent state since 1590, and 225 years of its sovereign existence is one of the brightest periods in the development of society and statehood on the island. In 1815, the British finally conquered the island, turning it into their colony. And only in 1948, Sri Lanka regained its independence.

The city itself is small, the influence of internal migration is felt. Now the majority of the inhabitants of Kandy are Muslims, which brings its own characteristics to the architecture of the city, namely its residential areas, markets.

I recommend taking a walk along the winding streets during daylight hours. The terrain is hilly, the houses are located right on the peaks, so the walk will not be easy, but, climbing higher, you can enjoy the beauty of Kandy: a combination of nature and architecture. And fresh air and coolness will be a reward for a grueling climb. In a word, Kandy is a must see if you are going to Sri Lanka and are interested in an educational vacation.

How to get there

Since the city is the second largest in Sri Lanka, transport links to Kandy are developed at a high level. You can get to it by almost any type of transport. These are buses, including express trains, and trains that run through the entire island. You can get here by rented car, as well as by taxi. But first of all, you need to fly into the country by plane.

By plane

The nearest international airport is Bandaranaike and Kandy, 110 kilometers apart. Information about the airport can be found at the link.

You can fly from Russia to Sri Lanka on scheduled flights airlines such as Fludubai, Etihad Airways, Air Arabia, Qatar Airways, Emirates, and, of course, Aeroflot, which operates codeshare flights with these companies. The average cost of tickets from Moscow is 22,000-28,000 RUB. You can compare the offers of various airlines and choose the most advantageous one at. The duration of the flight varies around 14 hours. As a rule, the flight is carried out with one connection, which takes 3-5 hours.

From St. Petersburg, a direct flight is possible only during the high season on charter flights(11 o'clock). In Colombo, as well as from Moscow, they fly with one transfer on the planes of Arab airlines (see above). Travel time is about 15 hours.

I wrote a little more about how to get to Sri Lanka.

The most comfortable way to get from Bandaranaike Airport to Kandy is by taxi. A little more difficult - by bus or train. I will describe all the options in detail below.

By train

This is the cheapest way of transportation compared to the rest, and, perhaps, the most picturesque. Railway near Kandy it passes through the hilly regions of the Central Province with their tropical greenery, tea plantations, eucalyptus forests.

From Colombo

To get to the Colombo Fort train station from the airport, you need to take the shuttle bus number 187, which comes to the Colombo Central Bus Station, and then walk 300 meters to the railway.

Approximately once every 1-2 hours, trains leave for Kandy from Colombo. The distance between cities (about 120 kilometers) they overcome in about 4 hours. Yes, not fast, but such is the peculiarity of local compositions. Detailed schedule flights to/from Kandy, see .

Ticket price - 0.7–1.3 USD (105–190 LKR). However, it is possible to get on the Intercity Express train, which takes about 2.5 hours and includes modern first-class carriages with a TV, air conditioning and Wi-Fi. A ticket for such a train will cost about 6–10 USD (800–1,500 LKR). Seats in luxury carriages and with panoramic views must be booked in advance.

It should be noted that Sri Lankan trains, despite the large number of passengers and their frank dilapidation, are quite clean.

From the southwest coast

If you are vacationing on southwest coast, then you can go to Kandy by train only after reaching Colombo first, and then according to the described scenario.

From the Kandy railway station to the main attractions just a stone's throw away - walk for 15-20 minutes. Of course, you can take a tuk-tuk, of which there are a great many at the station.

How to diversify your trip

After Kandy, the train from Colombo leaves for the city of Badulla and travels along an even more scenic road through tea plantations and eucalyptus forests, stopping at stations such as:

• Hatton, near which is the famous Adam's Peak;
• Nanu Oya, which is a 15-minute drive from Nuwara Eliya - the "city of the rich", made in the English style;
• (Ella) - Sri Lankan mountains, hills, waterfalls and tea plantations.

If you have free time, then from Kandy you can go to any of these places.

By bus

This is a more versatile and faster way to travel compared to the train. There are two common options.

Direct bus to Kandy from the airport

Travel time from the airport to Kandy on the A1 highway will be about 3 hours. The route is excellent, but there are traffic jams and congestion in the urban area. The main thing is to be prepared for the local "Asian" type of traffic and be careful.

Clue:

Kandy - the time is now

Hour difference:

Moscow - 2:30

Kazan - 2:30

Samara − 1:30

Yekaterinburg - 0:30

Novosibirsk 1:30

Vladivostok 4:30

When is the season. When is the best time to go

The climate of Kandy cannot but be affected by the highlands (500 meters above sea level), as well as the remoteness from the ocean coast. Hence its pluses and minuses in the weather. As a rule, during the day the temperature is +27 °C, and in the evening, when the sun goes down and becomes cooler, the thermometer drops to about +23 °C. At night it is even cooler - +20 °С. Among the minuses can be noted stuffiness and humidity during the daytime due to the lack of wind from the ocean.

Kandy is the second largest city in Sri Lanka, so there is no special seasonality in the work of shops, restaurants, and so on. Tourists come here at any time and in any weather.

Kandy in summer

No matter how hot the weather may seem, summer is the time of the Esala Perahera holiday, which means that August is the most interesting month to plunge into the atmosphere of a national-religious event, when thousands of pilgrims come to Kandy to see the procession with the removal of the sacred Tooth Buddhas, relics of all the Buddhists of the world. Neither wet nor hot weather can spoil the festive mood of the city. Summer air temperature during the day is +28 °C, in the evening +25 °C.

Kandy in autumn

During this period, it is impossible to guess the weather, and it is better to prepare in advance for possible heavy rains and gusty wind. This feature of the season is associated with climate change, when monsoons intensify on the east coast, replacing them on the western part of the island. Autumn air temperature during the day is +29 °C, in the evening +21 °C.

Kandy in spring

Spring indulges tourists with its changeability and unpredictability. In particular, from February to March is the best period of this season to visit the "cultural capital", as it is still cool and rather dry. The air temperature during the day is +28 °C, in the evening +22 °C. Since April, the monsoon season begins in Sri Lanka, which also affects the central part of the island, bringing heat and humidity. The air temperature during the day is +31 °C, in the evening +23 °C.

Kandy in winter

Winter in Sri Lanka is a dry weather season, it rains, but very rarely. Rest and sightseeing at this time will be the best choice. Daytime temperature in winter in Kandy is about +26 °C, nighttime - 22 °C.

Kandy - monthly weather

Clue:

Kandy - monthly weather

Districts. Where is the best place to live

There are a sufficient number of good hotels in Kandy, even more different guest houses. When planning a trip, it must be taken into account that during periods of religious holidays, all cheap housing is usually occupied by pilgrims and the Sri Lankans themselves.

When booking hotels, remember that the price does not include a city tax - 3%, which will have to be paid additionally. You can compare hotel offers and choose the best one, and book your favorite option on. It is convenient to check if there are last-minute tours for travel dates. There are many ads for renting apartments, villas and guest houses on.

When choosing a hotel in Kandy, in addition to the location relative to the center, the terrain must also be taken into account, since the city is located in a lowland between hills.

Four regions can be roughly distinguished:

1. city ​​center,
2. city ​​hills,
3. tea plantations,
4. along the Mahaweli Ganga.

City center

Since the main attraction of Kandy is this, for a long time this area has been the center of the city. A nice bonus of accommodation here is walking distance to all the sights, the opportunity to walk in the evening to the temple and admire the thousands of burning lamps.

Basically, expensive housing is located here at a cost of 50–60 USD (7,500–9,000 LKR) per day, but it cannot be said that in all hotels the quality corresponds to the price.

Elephant Orphanage in Pinnawala (Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage)

People come here for an unforgettable spectacle and positive emotions. About 90 elephants live in the nursery in Pinnawala. From young to old, with different fates, but here they found shelter and care in the person of more than a hundred employees. In addition, many tourists come to see the elephants bathing and feeding, which, by the way, are of mutual interest.

Operating since 1975, the nursery has become the hallmark of Sri Lanka, despite the fact that such centers appear in different parts of the island, most tourists come here.

The best time to go to Pinnawala is early in the morning. In the mornings and afternoons (at 10:00 and 14:00), the elephants go to the Maha Oya River to swim. A whole ritual is carried out with the blocking of the shopping street, which, upon completion, turns into a tourist market. There you can buy various souvenirs, leather goods and goodies.

On elephant nursery must take at least 3 hours. For children, it will be a wonderful experience and joy from contemplation and communication with these unhurried animals, living symbols of Sri Lanka. Adults are also thrilled to be able to feed the elephants or bottle feed the cubs (for a fee at 9:15, 13:15 and 17:00). It is possible to ride an elephant on horseback (with and without a saddle). The cost is 30 USD (4,500 LKR).

Opening hours: daily from 8:30 to 18:00. The ticket price is 16 USD (2,500 LKR) for an adult and 8 USD (1,250 LKR) for a child.

How to get there

This unique attraction is located 40 kilometers from the city of Kandy. To get to the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, you need to take a bus or train from Kandy to Rambukana station, and then about 2 kilometers by tuk-tuk.

You can read all the details about the nursery in Pinnawala.

Ambuluwawa (Ambuluwawa)

Less known among tourists, but nonetheless unique place is 20 kilometers from Kandy. If you are traveling here, look out for the neighboring Gampola region and the opportunity to visit Mount Ambuluwawa. It has a unique Biodiversity Complex (Ambuluwawa Biodiversity Complex), which is a combination of nature and human creation.

Here you can observe how people naturally coexist with natural diversity. The mountain is covered with almost two hundred different types of plants from 80 families, including medicinal herbs that grow everywhere, the names of which sometimes we have not even heard. You will admire the harmonious combination of natural forest adjacent to agricultural plantations.

Ambuluwawa is located at an altitude of 1,950 meters above sea level, surrounded by other mountains. This arrangement adds sophistication and beauty to the landscape.

At the top of the mountain there is a temple of the Four Religions, unique in architecture and design. At its base are the premises where international conferences are held. Next to the temple is the Stone Park, where you can see various types of minerals mined on this mountain. The main task of the park is to show the stone as a fundamentally important element of the environment. The element of water is represented on Ambuluwawa by a water park with a double pond. Climbing to the top of the mountain, you can meet deer that are accustomed to humans and you can feed them.

Opening hours and ticket prices

The entrance fee to the Temple of the Four Religions in Ambuluwawa is 2 USD (300 LKR). Climbing the mountain is free. Open from 8:00 to 16:30.

How to get there

The road to the temple includes:

• Train from Kandy Railway Station to Gampola Station
• Tuk-tuk from Gampola station to the temple.

Spice Garden Matale

Medicinal herbs, spices and spices are the hallmark of Sri Lanka. The area around Kandy has long been a jungle, where natural environment plants grew, the beneficial properties of which were discovered by man. The largest number of spice gardens are located in the Matale area near the city of Kandy. The basis of modern spice gardens was precisely those same centuries-old wild plants: cinnamon, vanilla, coriander, pepper and many others.

In such establishments, admission is always free, including the accompaniment of a Russian-speaking guide. Of particular interest are plants such as coffee tree, cocoa, curry, lime, sandalwood, cinnamon, cardamom. They, by the way, are used in Ayurveda - alternative medicine, which is popular in Sri Lanka. Appropriate products can be purchased at the store at the exit of the spice garden.

Details about the spice garden in Matale, about the opening hours and how to get to it, can be read.

nearby islands

The absence of islands in Kandy and its environs is determined by its very geographical position. Is it possible to mention a small island located in the middle of Lake Kiri-Muhuda (Milk Sea). All the main attractions of the city are located along the perimeter of the reservoir, which fits perfectly into the overall panorama of the city.

By the way, according to ancient legends, a royal bath was built on the said island, which was connected to the palace by an underwater tunnel. Now this place is hosted only by birds: herons, pelicans and other birds. You can look at the island only by swimming closer to it. On the north coast there is a station where you can rent a boat.

Food. What to try

Kandy is a city where people of different nationalities, religions and, of course, different taste preferences live. On the streets, in shopping malls you can find various cafes and eateries that offer dishes of Indian, Sri Lankan, Chinese, European cuisines.

Be sure to try local cakes, which are very similar to those that were prepared back in the Soviet Union, and don't forget about national sweets, which are sold everywhere in markets, shops and supermarkets. Please note that the recommended selling price is indicated on the factory packaging. The cost of sweets that are sold by weight is set by the seller himself, be sure to bargain with him, so you will drop the price by 10 percent.

The map shows a section of the street where, for my taste, the most the best establishments with cakes and other sweets.

Among interesting places in Kandy for lunch and dinner, you can highlight the White House restaurant. It presents the cuisines of the peoples of the world, and the prices are low.

The place is popular among tourists from different countries, because there is a really good selection of dishes. There is also a children's menu.

There is another wonderful restaurant Slightly Chilled Lounge.

It is interesting because, in addition to tasty and inexpensive food, during lunch and dinner you can enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of the city.

Budget

Mostly eateries. The average check in such establishments varies from 1-5 USD.

• Cool Corner Fried Ice Cream Parlor,
• Cafe Divine Street,
• Licensed to Grill,
• Balaji Dosai,
• The Kandy Garden Cafe.

Intermediate level

Cafes, restaurants where you can have a full lunch or dinner. The average check is from 5 to 15 USD per person.

• Slightly Chilled Lounge Bar (Bamboo Garden),
• Empire Cafe,
• worldspice,
• White House Restaurant,
• Cafe Aroma Inn,
• Kandyan Arts Restaurant,
• Citrus Cafe and Restaurant.

Expensive

• Theva Cuisine,
• Villa Rosa Restaurant.

Holidays

Esala Perahera

Many traditions in Kandy are associated with, and in particular, as I mentioned above, the Esala Perahera holiday, which takes place in August (the exact date depends on the lunar calendar).

During this period, grandiose celebrations and processions are held with the participation of elephants, decorated with lanterns and bells. Dancers, drummers and fakirs, dressed in national costumes, demonstrate their skills and surprise the audience. The teams participating in the Esala-Perahera processions are selected in advance at the competition, so the best of the best will perform in front of you. The festival lasts a week, and its apogee is the final procession with the removal of the tooth of the Buddha to the people. It is solemnly carried around Royal Palace in a specially equipped gold sarcophagus.

Thousands of pilgrims and tourists come to Kandy to take part in the events, pray to the sacred relic and see this colorful performance. During the celebration of Esala Perahera in Kandy, there is nowhere for an apple to fall - all hotels, hostels and guest houses are dismantled.

Safety. What to watch out for

How to move around the city

To move around Kandy with children, choose a taxi or tuk-tuk. If there are only adults in your company, then a tuk-tuk and a bus are your options. Since there is a lot of transport in the city, prices, as a rule, are not overstated.

Taxi. What features exist

Gradually, taxi services like Uber reach from Colombo to major cities in Sri Lanka. In particular, there is a local Pick me operator in Kandy, which can be used by installing the appropriate application. A trip by taxi or tuk-tuk will be more expensive than by bus, but it will be more comfortable.

For tuk-tuk trips, choose the one with the inscription Taxi-meter. They work from the distance traveled, and not from the time of the trip. In a taxi, you can also see meters, although you can “negotiate”.

tuk tuks

This is the most common way to move - they will bring you and take you wherever you go. The price for a tuk-tuk ride is 0.35 USD (50 LKR) for landing and 0.14 USD (20 LKR) further for 1 kilometer. You can catch it everywhere and at any time of the day.

For tuk-tuk trips, choose the one with the inscription Taxi-meter. They work from the distance traveled, and not from the time of the trip.

Buses

All attractions in Kandy are located very compactly and do not require a trip by public transport. However, if you want to get out of the city, it is better to use the bus.

Highway A1 connects Kandy with the capital Colombo, buses run day and night along it. The driving style of the locals is quite aggressive, but you quickly get used to it. Tickets are sold immediately on the bus: the conductor will definitely come to you. The fare in the city and its environs is 0.15-0.4 USD (20-60 LKR).

Transport rental

The most common option in Kandy is to rent a car with a driver. Thus, the issues of a tense traffic situation, pedestrians choosing on the road, etc. are removed. The route does not have to be looped - you can drive a rented car only part of the way - for example, from the airport to Kandy or from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya. Some street tour companies also offer scooter rentals for periods ranging from 1 to 14 days. Not a very safe option, but it is quite suitable for moving around the city.

If you are traveling by car, here are a few tips to help you:

• Use modern gadgets, a navigator to navigate around Kandy and the surrounding area. They never let me down.
• Do not drive on the trails at night, as this is unsafe for the various animals that may come onto the road.
• Consider the terrain - elevations reach 100-200 meters, and the roads in the mountains are winding.
• Be patient - traffic in Kandy, like other major cities in Sri Lanka, is chaotic, especially during rush hours and on the outskirts of the city.

Kandy - holidays with children

Economy accommodation in Kandy is only suitable if your children are already old enough to tolerate food without any problems local cuisine. With a small child, it is better to go to 3-4-5 star hotels, which are great for families. For example, Swiss Residence, Oak Ray Regency Hotel, Randholee, Senani Hotel, Devon Hotel, etc. They have children's rooms, appropriate meals, and a pool where children can frolic. If the hotel is located in the area of ​​the Mahaweli Ganga, then living in a jungle atmosphere with flying dogs and monkeys living nearby will be a very exciting adventure in their lives.

And yet, Kandy is not a resort, but a cultural and historical place that involves sightseeing holidays that will be of interest to children from 10 years old. Visiting temples and museums will expand their horizons and get vivid impressions.