How to Uncover the Rich Heritage of Sri Lanka’s Last Kingdom on a Trip to the Hill Capital

As the last regional stronghold to surrender to British rule, Kandy was at the epicentre of British Ceylon’s greatest battles and conflicts. Although the city fell into the hands of the colonisers in 1815, Kandy’s proud heritage and cultural significance have not faded into oblivion, as so many of its ancient landmarks are still part of the sacred city’s landscapes. Here’s how tourists can uncover the historic and spiritual legacy of the island’s last sovereign kingdom during a holiday in Kandy.

Visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic

Occupying pride of place in the heart of Kandy, the Sri Dalada Maligawa or the Temple of the Tooth is the first stopover for most visitors due to the magnitude and renown of the island’s most famous Buddhist temple. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site of mammoth proportions, the temple, which contains the holy tooth relics of Lord Buddha, is housed within a former royal palace that looks out over Kandy Lake. Teeming with pilgrims all year round, the shrine’s main attractions not only include its ornate halls and court (Magul Maduwa) but the sacred tooth relic that’s been stored within its confines for decades.

Explore Pallekele’s Ancient Brassware Village

As Kandy’s heritage is also intrinsically linked with the arts and crafts, which originated in this mountainous region, a trip to the hill capital would not be complete without a tour of the Brassware Village in Pallekele. Listed among the top things to do in Kandy, touring the village that has been producing ceremonial and decorative brassware for Kandy’s palaces and kings since time immemorial can be a magical experience. Easily accessible to those based at Hotel Topaz and other centrally located resorts, the artisanal village offers visitors a look at how traditional tools are still used to handcraft brass ornaments, sculptures and homeware items to this day.

Tour the Kandy National Museum

Although it is a cultural institution that’s often ignored in favour of more popular tourist attractions such as the Ceylon Tea Museum, the Kandy National Museum is another point of interest that history buffs can’t afford to miss on a tour of the hill capital. Showcasing more than 5000 relics and artefacts connected to the legacy of the island’s second largest city, the museum is located in a structure that was built during the era of King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe, the last monarch of Sri Lanka, and once served as the home of his majesty’s harem.

Witness the Esala Perehera

Tourists who are planning to visit Kandy during the months of July and August can also witness the country’s oldest procession and largest cultural event take centre stage in the streets of the hill station. The Esala Perahera, which draws countless Buddhist devotees and tourists from all corners of the globe, is an annual event of epic proportions where hundreds of dancers, acrobats, whip crackers, drummers and elaborately decorated elephants come together to create a mesmerising spectacle in honour of the sacred tooth relic.

Pay Homage to Kandy’s Architectural Marvels

Although the Temple of the Tooth is Kandy’s most famous religious landmark, there are 3 other iconic ancient temples that are equally revered for their architectural and aesthetic beauty. Located within close range of one another, about an hour away from the heart of Kandy City, the Gadaladeniya Viharaya, Embekke Devalaya and Lankathilaka Viharaya contain some of the most impressive woodwork and oldest stupas in Sri Lanka. Dating back to 1344, the Gadaladeniya Viharaya is one of the largest rock temples on the island, while the Lankathilake Viharaya is another 14th-century Buddhist temple built on a natural rock.

Go on a Spin Around Kandy Lake

This manmade lake, which has become one of Kandy’s top recreational hotspots in recent years, is also steeped in history and is intimately linked with the legacy of the city’s last ruler and local hero, Madduma Bandara. Having been the site of the drowning and beheading of the family of famous courtier Ehelepola Nilame, the Kandy Lake also served as the platform upon which the legend of Madduma Bandara entered local history books. Demonstrating great courage during the public execution of his nearest and dearest, the young man volunteered to face the royal headsman’s sword first in an act of valour that’s still celebrated today.