Kandy

මහනුවර

Sri Lanka's cultural capital and former royal residence, Kandy is home to the sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic, one of Buddhism's most important pilgrimage sites. The city's lakeside setting, vibrant markets, and traditional Kandyan architecture make it essential for understanding Sri Lankan heritage.

Things to do

• Temple of the Tooth Relic — Sri Lanka's most sacred Buddhist shrine, housing a tooth relic of Buddha and featuring ornate golden roofs, ivory carvings, and daily puja ceremonies.
• Kandy Lake walk — A scenic 4 km perimeter path around the artificial lake built by the last Kandyan king, offering views of the city, temples, and local life.
• Royal Botanic Gardens — 143 hectares of manicured gardens in nearby Peradeniya featuring tropical plants, orchids, and towering trees along the Mahaweli River.
• Kandyan dance performance — Traditional acrobatic and drum-based dance unique to the Central Highlands, performed nightly at venues like the YMCA or cultural centers.
• Kandy Market — A bustling three-story covered market selling spices, fresh produce, flowers, textiles, and handicrafts in the heart of the city.
• Bahirawakanda Vihara — A white Buddha statue overlooking Kandy from a hilltop temple, accessible by a short climb and offering panoramic views of the city.

Food to try

• Kottu roti — Chopped flatbread stir-fried with vegetables, eggs, and curry spices, a street-food staple served with curries at small roadside shops throughout Kandy.
• Lamprais — Rice baked inside a banana leaf with meat curry and spices, a Dutch-influenced dish unique to Sri Lanka's Kandyan region.
• Dhal curry with hoppers — Bowl-shaped fermented pancakes made from rice flour and coconut milk, served alongside creamy lentil curry for dipping.
• Watalappan — A traditional Kandyan dessert of steamed pudding made with jaggery, coconut milk, eggs, and cardamom, wrapped in banana leaves.
• Fish curry in bamboo shoots — Fresh fish cooked in a spiced coconut gravy and served inside tender bamboo shoot tubes, highlighting local freshwater ingredients.

Local customs & good to know

• Temple etiquette — Remove shoes before entering temples, dress modestly covering shoulders and knees, and show respect by walking clockwise around inner shrines.
• Esala Perahera festival — If visiting July–August, the ten-day festival features torch-lit processions with elaborately decorated elephants, fire dancers, and drummers honoring the Tooth Relic.
• Right hand for eating and greeting — Use your right hand when eating, greeting, or giving/receiving items, as the left hand is traditionally considered unclean.
• Photography at temples — Always ask permission before photographing monks or religious ceremonies, and avoid pointing cameras at Buddha statues in some inner sanctums.

Nearby

• Nuwara Eliya — 15 km
• Colombo (West Coast) — 15 km
• Pidurutalagala — 16 km
• Horton Plains — 22 km