Holding the royalty on being the last kingdom (capital) throughout the reign of ancient monarchs in Sri Lanka, the sacred city Kandy, will serve a blissful atmosphere that will take you back to the historic times which will furnish a much spiritual experience with an essence of culture, art, traditional dance and religious tranquility. Why not take a tour to Sri Lanka and visit this majestic yet gorgeous kingdom as your next journey?
Senkadagalapura was what this kingdom was originally called and it was named after a hermit named Senkada that dwelt there. Sinhalese folks would call it Mahanuwara which translates to “Great City” in English. However Kandy was derived from the word “Kanda” which means mountain. This was one independent kingdom which was never an easy target for the conquerors from other lands.
The city that is located in the slopes of the central highlands by the banks of a gorgeous lagoon of shimmering waters which is rich in culture and blessed with the perfect getaway, traditionally served as the heart of Sri Lanka's rich heritage and served as a representation of the nation's diverse identity. Discover the heavenly sightings of the serene landscapes and fragrance of the fresh blossoms while enjoying a cup of locally grown and brewed tea, a tropical rainforest climate with the cool breeze that will give you happy chills, rich cultural heritage that stands high and mighty for generations, the artistic beauty of the alluring temple paintings and the spiritual healing that you would get from the resonance of the religious atmosphere.
Feel the warmth of the locals and their friendly encounters as you enjoy the tittle-tattles and the livelihood of the people, and embrace the beauty of the art form of Sri Lanka, the traditional dances, which captivated people around the world for its unique and graceful moves that teaches you stories of the legends and folklore. You can also unravel the deliciousness of the aromatic spices and delectable street food such as the very famous Kandy pani kadju (roasted cashews) or creamy falooda (faluda) as you take a stroll through the Kandy market. You can also take a chance on experiencing the awakening of your creativity by engaging in making your own handicrafts which you can own as a souvenir of your visit to the last kingdom of Sri Lanka.
The lush greenery and the breathtaking views of the Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya filled with the fragrance of florescence will leave you in awe as you take a walk through the essence of nature. You can stop by the Temple of the Divine Tooth Relic which is a treasured location for religious travelers, and a UNESCO world heritage site that preserves a precious tooth of Lord Buddha. That’s not all, the majestic temples and shrines of the Kandyan era at Gampola (Embekke, Lankathilaka and Gadaladeniya Viharaya) will be a worthy tuk tuk ride for a peaceful retreat that will help you get away from all the hustle and bustle in the city with the heartwarming prayers in the air and the oil lamps lighting up the way.
Why not take some time to admire the skills portrayed by traditional craftsmen at Kandy? Take a look at the mesmerizing artworks which are exquisitely completed by hand such as lacquerware, wood carvings, and brassware that portrays the rich cultural heritage. Get yourself the Sri Lankan artistic textiles, uniquely designed with the use of wax and dyes of vivid colors, such as crafted batik clothing, batik accessories and wall hangings as you witness the process of it being designed at local boutiques and galleries. If you love art then do not forget the vibrantly colored and gold-leafed temple murals of Kandy, which reflect Buddhist mythology and the life of Lord Buddha, give insight into the dedication of the local craftspeople.
Kandy provides a rich mosaic of creative expressions that represent the essence and originality of Sri Lanka, whether you desire to indulge yourself in traditional art forms for a fresh start in life or study the historical and religious elements for a spiritual journey, the last kingdom of Sri Lanka invites you to partake on this spiritually healing, mind awakening and breathtaking journey. Taking a tour to Sri Lanka, to visit this sacred city will leave you speechless as you witness the beauty of nature, cultural heritage, the people and the peaceful atmosphere it holds.