The city of Kandy in the interior of the island of Sri Lanka at the beginning of the hill country. Kandy lies at an altitude of 488.6 meters above sea level. Located in the center of the island Kandy is surrounded by the ranges of mountains. It is called the Cultural Capital of Sri Lanka still very much a focal point of Sri Lankan culture.

Kandy has been visited on numerous occasions by the directors of our London office, the last being in 2003.

Kanda, means mountain. Due to the geographical location in the hilly interior, Kandy was able to resist the foreign European colonial invaders who could gain the control of coastal area of the island. It was the capital of  the last of the Royal Kingdoms to be able to resists the colonial powers until it fell in to the hands of British in 1815.

 

Thus Kandyan culture was abler to foster and maintain its own social structure, mode of living, Art and Architecture. The kings of Kandy ensured the safety and sovereignty of the hill capital and it’s great culture until the British finally captured the city in 1815.
 

Kandy’s plan developed around two open spaces: an elongated square at the end of which are the administration buildings of the old capital, and an artificial lake that is quadrangular in form. A public garden adds to the openness of the city's spatial organization.

 On the north shore of the lake, which is enclosed by a parapet of white stone dating to the beginning of the 19th century, are the city's official religious monuments, including the Royal Palace and the Temple of the Tooth, known as the Dalada Maligawa . Reconstructed in the 18th century, the Dalanda Maligawa is built on a base of granite that was inspired by the temples of Sri Lanka's former capital city, Anuradhapura. An array of materials (limestone, marble, sculpted wood, ivory, etc.) contribute to the richness of this temple. Visit in rhe evening to see the ceremony when the casket in which the Tooth Relic is kept is brought out to the beating of the drums of the Kandyan dancers.

Throughout this small holy city, a number of recent Buddhist monasteries can be found. What we found fascinating about Kandy is not Only The well known Temple of the Tooth Relic, but also the less well known temples such as Lanka Tilleke.

 Kandy has now grown out to encompass Peradeniya, home to the University of Peradeniya and the Botanical Gardens, Katugastota to the north, and east to Kundasale, Tennekumbura and Gurudeniya.

 

Kandy has a wealth of hotels. The last of our numerous visits was in 2003. We have stayed at the more luxurious hotels Le Kandyan, now Amaya Hills (4 stars) and Mahaweli Reach Hotel (5stars) , The Citadel (4stars) on the banks of the Mahaweli River as well as Hotel Topaz (3 stars).