Kandy is the Sri Lanka's hill capital(488 meters above sea level), Capital of Central Province, and the most beautiful cultural city. The city was born in the 14th century and became the capital of the Kandyan Kingdom in the 16th century. Kandy was the capital of a Sinhalese kingdom from 1592 to 1815, when it became one of the last sections of the island to be annexed by the British as part of colonial Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). This beautiful city, with its hills and valleys, rivers, lakes and cascading waterfalls around the hills. The Mahaweli River is in the Kandy Plateau. It is one of the island nation's largest cities and the economic focus of the tea-producing central highlands. There are numerous shrines and temples in and around Kandy, where you will see rare paintings, frescoes, and stone carvings. Kandy is an exiting place for shopping, with souvenirs in wood, copper, silver, brass, ebony, and bronze. The Kandy Esala Perahara is a vivid portrayal of the traditional Sinhala cultural values that has attracted millions of tourists world over. Kandy Esala Perahara The Festival of the August Moon or the Kandy Esala Perahara held during the month of Esala (July/August) is a spectacular cultural pageant parading the streets for ten nights climaxing on the full-moon night. It is held in honour of the sacred Tooth Relic, with the participation of hundreds of Kandyan dancers and drummers in traditional costumes, Kandyan chiefs in their traditional attire, elephants whip crackers and torchbearers. Kandy is a Sacred City to the Buddhists where the sacred Dalada Maligawa, venerated by Buddhists all over the world is situated. Dalada Maligava The Temple of the sacred Tooth Relic of the Lord Buddha in Kandy originally built in the 16th century is the most venerated place of worships of Buddhists the world over. Several buildings have been added to the temple complex since then, the latest being the golden canopy over the inner temple where the Tooth Relic is placed. see also the Paradeniya Gardens, with an amazing variety of trees, plants and flowers. |
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