KANDY

The beautiful city of Kandy in the center of the island was once an ancient stronghold and capital for Sinhala kings against colonial invaders. It houses many cultural relics and monuments, the foremost being the Sri Dalada Maligawa: the palace of the sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha. Other sites include the king’s chambers, the Asgiriya and Malwatte monasteries, and the Kandy museum. Kandy also hosts a number of festivals and parades, with the most notable being the Kandy Esela Perahera. The purpose of this grand ten day festival, held during July or August, is to honor the sacred tooth relic. The spectacle is a colorful display of culture with elephants, traditional dancers, drummers and fireworks, and will certainly be a highlight of your trip to Sri Lanka