How to Have a Perfect Vacation in Kandy – A Magnificent Cultural Hub

The beautiful city of Kandy is sure to strike the interest of the visitor with its many fascinating attractions. Considered to be one of Sri Lanka's cultural hubs, this city will undoubtedly appeal to the avid sightseer and culture lover alike. If you happen to be planning a vacation in Kandy, the attractions described below will be great choices as you make your itinerary.

Visit the Temple of the Tooth

Your vacation in Kandy should undoubtedly include a visit to the greatly venerated Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. Known in the local language as the "Sri Dalada Maligawa", its main attraction is a tooth relic that devotees believe to be from Gautama Buddha. Accordingly, it is regarded as a sacred site by Buddhists and innumerable local and foreign travellers, make their way to this religious attraction.

At the time of puja, when offerings and prayers are made, the golden casket which houses the tooth relic may be viewed. You will see that the Temple of the Tooth is situated in a palace compound that also contains several other temples as well as museums. Not to be missed is the elaborate annual procession or "perahera" which features numerous colourfully caparisoned elephants and traditional performers; this event takes place annually and is usually in July / August.

Stroll around Kandy Lake

A pleasant leisure site in this city is the appealing Kandy Lake. Interestingly, it happens to be a manmade creation that was decreed by Kandy's and the country's final monarch, King Sri Vikrama Rajasinha. Sometimes referred to as the "Sea of Milk", this lake is actually incomplete as its construction was interrupted by the invasion of British forces in the year 1815.

Today, Kandy Lake is amongst the city's foremost attractions for residents and visitors alike. It is always a pleasant experience to take a laidback stroll around the lake to relax and unwind after a busy day of sightseeing.

Tour the Giragama Tea Plantation

Sri Lanka is ranked amongst the world's foremost tea producers and you will find several large tea plantations in and around Kandy. You are likely to find that a visit to a tea factory would be an engrossing experience as you will have a chance to take a close look at the production process and admire the picturesque tea estates.

One such place within easy reach of Kandy is the Giragama Tea Plantation; at this site, you can enjoy a tour of the factory, see how it operates and also savour some of the finished teas that it produces.

Experience Bahirawakanda Vihara Buddha Statue

Another prominent religious attraction in Kandy would be the imposing statue of the Buddha which sits on top of a hill providing an amazing vantage point of the city. It will be somewhat arduous to climb to the top, particularly in the heat of midday; if you make the effort, however, you will be rewarded by the stunning vistas over the surrounding areas.

This statue will be even more resplendent at night-time when it is beautifully illuminated creating a lovely sight. If you desire to travel to Kandy an online resource to consider where you will find more information about this Buddha statue and other local attractions would be Kandy Escapes.

Explore the Peradeniya Botanical Garden

If you love trees and plants you should definitely take the opportunity to visit the captivating Peradeniya Botanical Garden which you will find within easy reach of the Kandy town centre. The largest of its kind in the country, this beautiful creation attracts a myriad of visitors, both local and foreign, each year.
Highlights here would include the majestic royal palm avenue, the splendid collection of vibrant orchids, the 40 m tall Burma bamboo and the amazing cannonball fruit tree. Another much-loved feature would be the great lawn's unmistakable huge Javan fig tree which features a massive trunk and a vast canopy made by its numerous branches.