11 Activities in Kandy Apart from the Tooth Relic Temple

By / October 30, 2023

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11 Activities in Kandy Apart from the Tooth Relic Temple

There are eleven activities in Kandy. Beyond the Tooth Relic Temple, I solemnly pledge to forfeit any further blog entries that recommend strolling along the city lake as an exemplary activity in Kandy. Being situated in the heart of Kandy, close to the Temple of the Tooth Relic, you will likely pass by the lake ten or more times per day, despite its aesthetic appeal.

Temple of the Tooth Relic

Sri Dalada Maligawa is the dominant tourist attraction in Kandy, as its locals call it. In fact, tourist buses make a special halt in Kandy in order to visit this extraordinary Buddhist temple. What an incredible opportunity to explore the former capital of the monarchs of Sri Lanka!

The temple of the tooth relic is included in the majority of Sri Lankan tour packages, including 10-day Sri Lankan tours, 7-day Sri Lankan tours, and other multi-day Sri Lanka packages, on account of its significant prominence. Travellers have the option to reserve an independent excursion to Kandy, for instance, a one-day tour to the tooth relic temple in Kandy. They may also reserve a multi-day excursion to Sri Lanka that encompasses Kandy and the tooth-relic temple. Tour companies, such as Seerendipity Tours, offer daily excursions to Kandy from Colombo and numerous other coastal resorts.

The majority of first-time visitors to Kandy visit the lake and Temple of the Tooth, as I previously described. Unsurprisingly, so. The bustling Buddhist temple exudes a strong sense of spirituality, and its grandeur and magnificence only serve to amplify it. International visitors are required to pay a fee of 2000 rupees to enter the Temple of the Tooth Relic, whereas the majority of Sri Lankan temples do not impose such charges.

You are not discouraged from visiting the temple by this. In my opinion, the temple is necessary. Similar to the Eiffel Tower in Paris or Red Square in Moscow, a single visit is sufficient, irrespective of the length of the lineups at the ticket counter. Nonetheless, Kandy provides an abundance of extraordinary activities.

Penetrating the Knuckles Mountain Chain

When individuals consider mountain exploration and trekking in Sri Lanka, two prominent destinations that immediately spring to mind are Nuwara Eliya and Ella. The fact that Kandy can function as a convenient midpoint from which to explore the magnificent Knuckles Mountain Range is not widely known. Early British explorers named this range after the appearance it presented from certain vantage points in Kandy, where it resembled the creases of a closed fist. The locals have given it the name Misty Mountain Range.

Using only your fingertips is not an advised technique. National parks and forests in developed nations are more readily accessible to visitors than those in Sri Lanka. There are no directional signs, no well-defined routes, and no human beings within miles to seek assistance from.

It is highly recommended that you procure the services of a driver or guide for your nature discovery excursion in Sri Lanka. Contact the travel agency Seerendipity Tours and request the services of a tour guide. It is completely at your discretion for how long to take the promenade. While it is possible to camp in the highlands and climb for several days, some travellers would rather ascend and descend in a single day.

Trekking the Hanthana Mountain Range

Hiking in the Hanthana Mountain Range while in Kandy is an exceptional experience. In total, there are seven peaks, the tallest of which is Uura Kanda, which stands at 3,800 feet. Hanthana’s facility is situated in closer proximity than Knuckles’, with a thirty-minute travel time.

Given the variety of seven summits and numerous excursions to choose from, the book ought to assist you in making an informed choice. Typically, the Hantana three-hour walking tour is uncomplicated; participants traverse picturesque tea plantations illuminated by the sun, ascend to a hill with a valley view, and then proceed back through the forest.

The Lankathilaka Temple

In close proximity to one another, the two temples enumerated below and the Lankathilaka Temple are situated just outside of Kandy. They offer a more precise depiction of the atmosphere prevalent in Buddhist temples situated in Sri Lanka, in contrast to the Temple of the Tooth Relic.

Numerous tourists consider Lankathilaka to be the most impressive of the three. King Bhuvanekabahu IV founded this historic temple in Udunuwara, which is about thirty minutes’ drive from Kandy.

The temple was built atop Panhalgala, an uneven granite formation. In addition to the Embekke Temple, Lankathilaka is considered to be among the most technologically advanced edifices dating back to the Gampola Kingdom era.

The Temple at Embekke

Embekke Devalaya is among Sri Lanka’s most peculiar Buddhist temples. Plasterings adorn the ceilings, doors, beams, and pillars with woodcarvings. The exquisite wooden pillars of Embekke, in contrast to the stone or masonry composition of the majority of Sri Lankan temples, transport visitors to Russia, a land that has long been a centre for wood carving.

Embekke was built during the Gampola Era in the fourteenth century under the reign of King Vikramabahu III. The Sanctum of Garagha, the Drummers’ Hall, and the Dancing Hall are its three principal components. The latter is a structure composed of pillars.

The Gadaladeniya Temple

In 1344, King Bhuvanekabahu IV constructed the Gadaladeniya Temple, which is in close proximity to the Lankathilaka Temple and is easily accessible via a brief drive. An Indian architect designed the temple, which was originally referred to as Dharma Kirthi Viharaya in honour of the founding priest. Its architecture was distinctly South Indian.

Notwithstanding their close proximity, the three temples—Lankathilaka, Gadaladeniya, and Embekke—are situated beyond the municipal limits of Kandy. If you desire to visit all three temples on the same day, it is best to rent a tuk-tuk for three to four hours. Approximately 5000 rupees.

An additional, lesser-known temple in Kandy worth exploring is the Bahirawakanda Viharaya. Nearly every vantage point in Kandy offers a panoramic view of the enormous Buddha statue situated atop a hill. With a height of 88 feet, this Buddha statue is among the tallest in Ceylon. Since it was constructed in the 1970s, this temple is relatively new.

One who possesses adequate physical fitness may ascend the slope on foot. A brief yet precipitous ascent ensues. Fortunately, a small kiosk selling king coconuts is situated directly in front of the temple. Taking a tuk-tuk is a marginally more convenient and less onerous option.

The Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens

Located in the city of Peradeniya, approximately five miles from Kandy, the Royal Botanical Gardens is a popular tourist attraction. Tuk-tuks can readily transport you here in fifteen minutes. Each year, more than two million individuals visit the garden.

The 147-acre gardens are situated in close proximity to the Mahaweli, the longest river in Sri Lanka. It is widely believed that their existence originated in the fourteenth century, notwithstanding their official establishment in 1843. The gardens’ most popular attractions include a collection of orchids, a palm avenue, a forty-meter-tall bamboo tree, and a suspension bridge across the Mahaweli River.

The Peradeniya university

The Royal Botanical Gardens and the University of Peradeniya are absolutely adjacent. You can disembark at Peradeniya, one stop prior to Kandy, on the train from Colombo to Kandy. There, you can explore the university grounds, stroll through the Botanical Gardens, and dine at Hela Bojun.

All of the university’s campuses are in close proximity to one another. Visit the arts department in order to behold the most picturesque settings. Upon your arrival, indulge in a strolling tour of the grounds; they are quite beautiful. Unbeknownst to the yravellers, a colossal tree has emerged adjacent to the milk bar; it most certainly merits a visit. Proceed to Sarachchandra, the sole outdoor theatre in Sri Lanka. Designed in the classical Greek theatre architectural form, it was named after a Sri Lankan dramatist.

Complexity of Biodiversity at Ambuluwawa

One of my favourite activities in Kandy Travelling to Gampola will require some automobile time, as the journey will exceed 1.5 hours. In contrast, Gampola is presently situated in Nuwara Eliya. Thus, motorists travelling from Nuwara Eliya to Kandy can make a pit stop in Ambuluwawa.

Situated at an elevation exceeding 3,000 feet above mean sea level, Ambuluwawa Mountain accommodates a biodiversity complex and is crowned with a stupendous white spiral edifice that bears resemblance to a Buddhist stupa.

At the ticket office, you may continue driving the vehicle to the summit of the mountain for a nominal fee. However, the tower’s breathtaking views require some exertion; therefore, I believe it is preferable for those of average physical condition to park at the gate and ascend on foot. It is possible to ascend the tower, which gradually loses its height as one approaches the summit, until one reaches the side staircases, beyond which one risks being carried away by strong winds. Climbing this does not require a light of heart.

Saradiel Village

Local adolescents comprise the majority of visitors to this peculiar, amusing, and lesser-known Kandy location. During the 17th century, Robyn Hood, an affluent Uthuwana Sri Lankan citizen also identified as Saradiel, engaged in ostentatious theft and subsequently donated the looted treasures to the less fortunate. Is it not marvellous? Indeed, Robyn Hood existed in Sri Lanka.

Ten years ago, in the vicinity of Uthuwankanda Rock, where Saradiel had previously hid from the authorities, a hamlet was established to offer an insight into life in Ceylon during the 18th century. The premises encompass a vast expanse of six acres.

An English-speaking tour guide is available to provide insights into 18th-century Sri Lankan customs and traditions. It is said that Uthuwankanda Rock is climbable; however, assistance is required to reach the summit.

Nelligala International Buddhist Centre

How little is known about this magnificent Kandy location? Perched atop a precipitous mountain, Nelligala Temple is among the most exquisite structures I have ever seen in Sri Lanka. Sitting atop the sanctuary are seven colossal Buddha sculptures in gold. The area is relatively secluded, and it provides breathtaking vistas of the surrounding hill country.

Dining at Kandy Restaurants

Hela Bojun is the restaurant to visit in Kandy in order to experience genuine indigenous gastronomy. This food court chain in the neighbourhood offers delectable fare at unexpectedly affordable prices. The Department of Agriculture instructed the chain’s establishment with the dual goals of empowering rural women and promoting regional produce.

Each woman who participates in selling food at this outdoor market receives the necessary training. Each morning, a delectable supper is prepared from scratch. Typically, a throng composed primarily of residents serves as a favourable indication.

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