Excursions

In and around Kandy from Grand Kandy Villa

Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa)

Kandy's most dominant landmark is the Dalada Maligawa, the 16 th - 19 th century moated and golden - roofed temple of the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha. It is one of Sri Lanka's most sacred and venerated Buddhist shrines.

The Dalada Maligawa draws multitudes of pilgrims daily, who come to worship and participate in traditional rituals, which are held three times a day.The atmosphere of lively religious activities as part of a busy day to day life along is worth to go and have a look what is going on in the the temple premises.

Gadaladeniya, Lankathilaka & Embekke

These religious edifices called the western shrines are some of the oldest buildings in the Kandyan kingdom dating from the 14th centaury A.D. They contain painting and sculptures of great historical and artistic importance. The genius of the Kandyan master craftsmen are attested here, whereby Gadaladeniya Viharaya is built of stone, Lankathilaka Viharaya and its devale from clay bricks with a unique architectural design and Embakke Devale out of wood.

Devanagala Viharaya

The western side has the famous locations where all the historic Portuguese invasions of Kandy took place over and over again, where they were trapped and destroyed. This is on the Colombo - Kandy road from where you can see the unique scenery of Bible Rock (798 m). Also a little below can be seen a shape of a white Dagaba situated on top of a bed round rock. It is Devanagala Viharaya and the climb to the top takes about 45minutes. The ruins and 360 degree view are spectacular ad gives an insight to impregnability of this highland kingdom.

Udawattakele & Garrison Cemetery

This reserve forest and sanctuary borders the old town of Kandy on the eastern side behind the temple of the Tooth. Till 1815 it was exclusively

reserved for royalty and out of bound for others. The Sinhalese name was Tahansikale meaning forbidden forest. It contains primeval forests and

some endemic spices in its actual much reduced state of 207 acres. Many streams flow out of this forest.

Garrison Cemetery : The older cemetery was mainly a military burial ground. It belonged to the Episcopal church society. Members were allowed to purchase blocks for burial of family members.

Galmaduwa & Degaldoruwa Viharayas

Galmaduwa viharaya is a rather curious unfinished edifice stopped due to the discovery of the cave at Degaldoruwa.

Peradeniya Botanical Garden & Hindagala Viharaya

Tropical Sri Lanka is best glimpsed through a walk in to the peradeniya botanical gardens founded in 1821 to introduce coffee to the region. It occupies 146 acres along a loop of the Mahaweli river and contains around 4000 species developed in to one of the best in Asia. Not to missed the great circle, Royal palm avenue, Orchid house, great lawn and giant tropical trees and of course the flowers.

Churches in Kandy

The conversion of Kandyan population necessitated the building of proper places of worship. Starting from the Peradeniya garden along the old road to Kandy are three churches of interest. The first one is St. John's,the second is St. Mark's. Only the parish priest at St. John's has the key to this one and he is ever ready to show it. The third one is St. Paul's church in the premises of the esplanade of the Maligawa. It contains interesting tombstones and epithets. The wind organ still works and the stained glass windows are delightful. A Sunday service can also be attended.

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