Places of Interest in Kandy (Sri Lanka)

Temple of the Tooth
"Sri Dalada Maligawa (Sinhalese: ශ්‍රී දළදා මාළිගාව Tamil: ஸ்ரீ தலதா மாளிகை) or the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is aBuddhist temple in the city of Kandy, Sri Lanka. It is located in the royal palace complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy, which houses the relic of the tooth of Buddha. Since ancient times, the relic has played an important role in local politics because it is believed that whoever holds the relic holds the governance of the country. Kandy was the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings and is a UNESCO world heritage site mainly due to the temple." - Wikipedia
Temple of the Tooth truly is a fascinating place. If you visit Sri Lanka, you should not miss this. It is a very sacred place and should be entered with a lot of respect. You will have to cover up if you are wearing shorts, short skirts etc. Many colourful and unique photos can be taken here and in the evenings there is a ritual where the Dalada Karaduwa will be shown through a door to the pilgrims. In the month of August every year, The Esala Perahara is celebrated which is a big tourist attraction and known as a holy festival. It is commonly blessed by rains. You can search more information on the Internet on booking tickets and hotels for this event. 

Apart from this, if you are around the Temple of the Tooth, there are few places that you can visit which are within a walking distance. 

-Kandy Lake-Royal Palace of Kandy-National Museum of Kandy-Kandy View Point (You have to go towards Wales Park to each this place. It is a place where you can get a holistic view of Kandy city including the temple of tooth relic. The true beauty can be seen around 630-8pm when its dark and the streets are busy)

Royal Botanical Gardens Peradeniya
Situated about 5kms from the city, and is renowned for its variety of Orchids and for the number of species of plants of more than 4000. If you love nature, trees and flowers, this is the place for you. Tickets will be a bit higher for tourists but it is not a big amount. 

Commonwealth War Cemetery
"This Colonial War Cemetery is down by the Mahaweli riverside. During World War II there was a decisive moment for the British defending the empire against the Japanese after Singapore was occupied by the Japanese. The military headquarters were shifted from Burma to Ceylon and Lord Mountbatton gave his instructions from Peradeniya gardens to hold up the Japanese, undermining the dominance of the British Empire in this part of the world. Kandy played a special role during the colonial period under the British from the first to the last moment." - Virtual Library Sri Lanka
It is a calm and a quiet place, well maintained. You might want to see this as it has a historical value. Not far from kandy city and surrounded with restaurants and hotels where you can dine and stay. 

Udawattta Kele Sanctuary
Right in the middle of the city, behind the Temple of Tooth Relic. It has been preserved for centuries and consists of animals such as monkey, squirrel, porcupine, lizards and reptiles, wild boar etc. In the heart of the jungle there is a pond. 

Hanthana Mountain Range
Environmentally protected area, which is situated to the west of kandy city. The maximum height range is 3800ft. The forest consists of various types of birds, wildflowers, reptiles, and a serene beauty. Ideal for Hiking and camping. 

Lankathilaka Rajamaha Viharaya
Constructed in 14th Century by King Buwanekabahu the 4th. It is a temple situated on the top of a rock which is built using the Kandyan architectural style, in the era of Gampola kingdom. The art and culture of that era can be clearly understood by observing this temple. An ancient script (Sellipi) can be seen on the rock next to the temple. Worth visiting this place if you want to learn the tradition and architecture of Kandy and also you can visit 'Gadaladeniya and Ambekka' too which are situated close by.  

Embekka - Temple of Wood Carvings
Embekka is known as one of the key places to see unbelievable ancient wood carvings. Almost all of kandyan style art and designs are carved in the pillars and each and every pillar contains a different design from other. The devalaya is dedicated to worship Katharagama Deviyo. The area of drummers hall is the mostly known segment of this devalaya as a reason of unique and fascinating wood carvings on the pillars and the roof. This place clearly depicts the excellence of the art of the ancestors of Sri Lanka. 

Gadaladeniya Rajamaha Viharaya
This place is mostly known for the stone carvings and as a temple made of stones. Was built during the era of Gampola Kingdom and currently its paintings seem to be fading away. But still the remains show you how glorious and excellent Kandyan art and craft used to be. 


Degaldoruwa Cave Viharaya
This is built in a man made cave which is not big as Dambulla. Commonly known as a place to depict the drawing of kandyan era. This temple consists a huge number of wall paintings of jathaka stories and a 18 ft Buddha Statue. It is a must to visit this place if you love Art, and want to study Kandyan Art. 

Common Scams

This is my first blog ever and I decided to begin this with scams as I myself am a traveller and I dont want travellers to face this sort of bad experience in my country. So I hope i'd be able to pass this information and save atleast one person from being scammed. 

Tuk-Tuk Scam

Tuk Tuks are a very popular travel method within the country. Not to mention that most of these people are from low educational levels and living standards. They carry drugs, involve in prostitution and many other illegal business. Hence one should be very lucky to find a honest and a good tuk tuk driver. So my advice is to get in to a meter taxi whenever possible, make sure to ask them if the meter is working before you get in, and to reset it to 0 before you start the journey. If not there are many other cab services, Nano Taxi Service, budget taxi services etc, which will be a bit costly than a tuk tuk, but safety assured. 

Tea Export Scam

This is commonly discussed in many forums. Where a so called tea plantation owner comes up and suggests to send you some tea and ask you for export charges. My advice is, no. If you want to buy tea, go ahead buy yourself tea from Mlesna or some other tea factory which will be straightforward. 

Credit Card Scam

Rule number one, Never let your credit card out of your sight. Rule number two, use cash as much as possible. Keep change and coins for beggers and charity people. 

Spice Garden Scams

Spice gardens are a big tourist attraction and my advice is go visit them but do not purchase anything. You can buy all the herbal stuff from Ayurvedic shops in city. And spices are also available in shops for a cheaper rate. So get the information from the spice garden, do the shopping elsewhere. 

The Teacher/Student/Professional/Fake Hotel Staff Scam

People may approach you, with a genuine smile, genuine talk, and genuinely interested on offering you a visit to some occasion, event, etc and most of them will mention 'they do not need money'.. you can always use Google to search for information. Most important events in sri lanka are listed there with dates. So do not believe these people and do not accept their offers to travel with them for any reason.

Currency/Trasure Items/Items with historical value

All these are fake. Do not even consider these offers. 

Beach Boys

They do all the guiding and stuff in beach areas. They have a huge network and connections among tuk tuk drivers, cheap hotels, drug dealers, prostitutes. So beware. Know what their approach is. if you want sex or drugs, they can find it. But there is a price for everything. 

There are good people out there. Use your instincts and common sense. Use google to find information. If you are staying at a hotel, get their support for transportation and other information.