Kandy

Kandy is home to the most sacred temple in Sri Lanka; the improbably named but nevertheless deeply spiritual Temple of the Tooth. Here is housed the much revered one surviving tooth of Buddha, making it one of the world’s most sacred Buddhist sites.

Apart from its sacred molar, Kandy is probably most famous for its renowned Esala Perahera festival, one of the most colourful religious pageants in Asia, when a huge procession of dancers, jugglers, musicians, fire-breathers, and lavishly decorated elephants snake their way through the streets to the Temple of the Tooth.

During the colonial period, the British established botanical gardens in many cities and towns but the Kandy Botanical Gardens sit at the top of the pyramid. Today, they are tended with love and care and remain a Kandy landmark. We’ve been tons of times and always find a delightful little corner we haven’t discovered before.

Kandy is also the starting point for a spectacular train journey through Hill Country and the rolling tea plantations. The train operates a regular commuter schedule, so you’ll also see real life at all of the stations along the way.

Eating and drinking

It has to be said, Kandy is a little behind the curve on the Sri Lanka eating and drinking scene. It doesn’t actually matter, as most hotels are situated outside the town centre and have their own reliably good restaurants. That said, there are a couple of good restaurants and cafes in the centre where decent Western and Sri Lankan food can be found. Good for a spot of lunch between tours.

The bar hangouts are a bit more hit and miss and it would be wise to describe the options for a night out as limited.

Out and about

Kandy is a city that is rich in history and culture. The most famous landmark, and the main reason why people visit, is the Temple of the Tooth, said to house a tooth of the Lord Buddha. The tooth is stored in casket deep within the temple and isn’t on public display. However, the room which houses the casket is exquisitely adorned with ornate woodwork and carvings. The architecture is generally beautiful and the various buildings that make up the temple complex are steeped in history.

The Temple of the Tooth is the centrepiece of Kandy. Around it are some worthwhile museums. The Raja museum with its taxidermy of an old temple elephant is extraordinary. It’s huge! There are some lovely walks around the end of the Kiri Muhuda lake (literally translated as the Sea of Milk).