THE TEMPLE OF THE SACRED TOOTH RELIC

                One of the chief objects of interests in Kandy is the 'Dalada Maligawa' or Temple of the Sacred Tooth. This is the heart of Kandy, and the Tooth of Buddha is the heart of it. It is located in the royal palace complex which houses the Relic of the tooth of Buddha. Since ancient times, the relic has played an important role in local politics because it is believed that whoever holds the relic holds the governance of the country. Kandy was the last capital of the Sinhalese kings and is a UNESCO world heritage site partly due to the temple.

            The relic came from India sixteen centuries ago, and moved from capital to capital always with the king. It is rarely shown and never leaves the temple.Monks of the two chapters of Malwatte and Asgiriya conduct daily worship in the inner chamber of the temple. Rituals are performed three times daily: at dawn, at noon and in the evening. On Wednesdays there is a symbolic bathing of the Sacred Relic with an herbal preparation made from scented water and fragrant flowers, called “Nanumura Mangallaya”. This holy water is believed to contain healing powers and is distributed among those present.

            The tooth relic is removed from its shrine only once a year, during the Esala Perahera, a 10-day torchlight parade of dancers and drummers, dignitaries, and ornately decorated elephants. It is now one of the better-known festivals in Asia, and it may be the largest Buddhist celebration in the world.

            The Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy, the temple which houses the Sacred Tooth Relic of The Buddha, is possibly the most sacred Buddhist shrine in the world. It is venerated not only by Buddhists in Sri Lanka but by Buddhists all over the world.

             

MAHAWELI  RIVER

                                       A significant river in Sri Lanka the Mahaweli River is the country’s lifeblood in many ways as it serves both as a source of electricity and as a source of fertile land. The Mahaweli River is a 335 km (208 mi) long river, ranking as the longest river  in Sri Lanka . The drainage basin for this river is incredibly large and covers an area that is almost equal to a fifth of the island’s entire size.

            The Mahaweli is also the longest river in Sri Lanka and originates from the Hatton Plateau that is located on the Western side of the country’s hill side. From this point it proceeds to flow through an area that is dominated by tea and rubber growing takes a turn to the east before reaching the city of Kandy. It eventually passes through Trincomalee and ends up in the Bay of Bengal. From here onwards it still carries on in the form of a major submarine canyon which allows it to function as one of the finest deep sea harbours in the world.

            The Mahaweli River plays a major role in Sri Lanka’s power generation as several parts of the river have been dammed in order to facilitate the creation of various hydro electricity power plants that generate a sizeable part of the country’s electricity. It is for this reason that Sri Lanka’s primary source of power is through hydro-electricity.

            Farming and agriculture also plays an important part in the country and it is here again that river has shown its dual purpose. The damming of the river has also provided water in numerous areas that has been siphoned off for irrigation purposes.

            The Mahaweli River has always played an important role in Sri Lanka and it will continue to do so well in to the future.

ROYAL BOTANICAL GARDEN

                                  Royal Botanical Garden, Peradeniya  is located in close proximity to the city of Kandy  in the Central Province of Sri Lanka . It is renowned for its collection of a variety of orchids . It includes more than 300 varieties of orchids, spices, medicinal plants and palms trees. Attached to it is the National Herbarium . The total area of the botanical garden is 147 acres (0.59 km²), at 460 meters above sea level, and with a 200 day annual rain fall. It is managed by the Division of National Botanic Gardens of the Department of Agriculture.

            The origins of the Botanic Gardens date as far back as 1371 when King Wickramabahu III ascended the throne and kept court at Peradeniya near Mahaweli river. This was followed by King Kirti Sri and King Rajadhi Rajasinghe. A temple was built on this location by King Wimala Dharma, but it was destroyed by the British when they were given control over the Kingdom of Kandy . Thereafter, the groundwork for a botanical garden was formed by Alexandar Moon in 1821. The Botanical Garden at Peradeniya was formally established in 1843 with plants brought from Kew Garden, Slave Island, Colombo , and the Kalutara Garden in Kalutara .

            The classical Avenue of Palms is located in this Garden. One tree with a significant history is the Cannonball Tree planted by King George V of the United Kingdom  and Queen Mary  in 1901. Nature lovers who visit Kandy Sri Lanka are advised to visit the Peradeniya botanical garden which is situated in the hill capital, about 5 km to the west of the city center at Peradeniya

HANTHANA MOUNTAIN RANGE

                                   The Hanthana Mountain Range lies in central Sri Lanka , south-west of the city of Kandy . It was declared as an environmental protection area in February 2010 under the National Environment Act. The maximums height of the range is 3800 ft. The Hanthana mountain range comprises of more than seven peaks dotted gracefully. Among the seven peaks, the forth peak is the highest and the Katusukonda is the last peak and slightly dangerous part of this mountain range. The highest one being the Uura Kanda.  The range is a favorite destination among the mountain hikers in Sri Lanka.

            University of Peradeniya  is situated adjacent to the Hanthana mountain  range. The Hanthana Mountain range is a beautiful delightful set of hill tops which are stunning with lush panoramic views. The Hanthana Mountain range is a beautiful delightful set of hill tops which are stunning with lush panoramic views. Overlooking grassy plains and eucalyptus trees lining the estates, you will see friendly faces of the estate workers greeting you.

UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA

                                         The University of Peradeniya is a renowned state university in Sri Lanka , funded by the University Grants Commission . It is located in a site that touches the lower slopes of the lush mountains of Hanthana , University of Peradeniya is famous for its natural beauty.

            Its picturesqueness has inspired many intellectuals like Prof.  Ediriweera Sarachchandra , Sri Lanka's premium playwright.  University of Peradeniya is situated in the Central Province of Sri Lanka , eight kilometres from the sacred city of Kandy  - the historic capital of the last kingdom of Sri Lanka, and about 110 kilometres from Colombo . A tourist attraction, Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya  is located closed by. The university spans over an area of nearly 700 hectares in the Mahaweli flood plain. Most of the area remains afforested.

            It was established as the University of Ceylon  in 1942.The University of Peradeniya hosts eight faculties ,two Postgraduate Institutes, 10 Centre’s, 73 departments, and teaches about 11,000 students in the fields of Medicine, Agriculture, Arts,Management, Science, Engineering, Dental Sciences, Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science and Allied Health Science.   

            The main entrance to the university is through Galaha  road. The Faculty of Engineering  is located on one side of the Mahaweli River  and all other faculties on the other side. The Akbar bridge links the two banks of the river. The nearest railway station is Sarasavi Uyana which is located on campus. Another bridge known as Yaka Paalama links the railway to the other bank. In 2010, according to University Ranking by Academic Performance (URAP),  University of Peradeniya ranked 1426th in the world. It is the only Sri Lankan university ranked under URAP.

AMBULUWAWA

 

Ambuluwawa peak situated in the center of Gampola Kingdom established by the great Sinhala King Buvanekabahu IV. Height of the peak from the mean sea level is 365 feet and from the Gampola town is 1965 feet. Biodiversity at Ambuluwawa has a more complexed expansion than that of the common examples of biodiversity. Ambuluwawa is a rock mountain but it is different from rock mountains commonly seen in Sri Lanka . It is made of special type of rock known as "Inselberg" and is least subject to erosion caused by natural forces.

            Experiments on the diversity of vegetation at Ambuluwawa are still in progress. According to the research work so far done, there are about 200 varieties of plants belonging to 80 plant families. The soil here is red or brown and belongs to the latezoic type. Medicinal plants known as 'iramusu ', ' muva kiriya ' and ' nawa handi ' are the common plants grown in the area.

            Surrounding the mountain there are uniformly spread ever green forests, groves of blossomed flower plants and creepers which make the breeze around the mountain cool. Panoramic view of the mountain ranges is enticing and impressive. Clearly visible mountains such as Pidurutalagala in the east, Bathalegala or Bible Rock  in the west, Sri Pada or Adams Peak  in the south and Knackles range in the north enrich the scenic beauty of the place. Apart from these, mountain ranges associated with Alagalla and Kadugannawa, mountains like Hanthana and Hunnasgiri and mountains in Nuwara Eliya district are also clearly visible and they add beauty to the surroundings.

THE GADALADENIYA TEMPLE

 

Gadaladeniya Temple in Kandy was established on the plane rock at Diggala. Diggala is located in the region of Kandy. Gadaladeniya Temple, Kandy has an old monastery. It is a beautiful temple which you can visit during your tour to Kandy. Gadaladeniya Temple is one of the well-known tourist destinations in Kandy.

            Gadaladeniya Temple was constructed in the year 1344 by King Buwanekabahu IV in accordance to an inscription written here in this temple. The Gadaladeniya Temple was designed by many architects. But one of the main architects was Ganesvarachari, who was a South Indian. As a result, the Gadaladeniya Temple in Kandy is designed in South Indian architecture.

            The chief shrine room of Gadaladeniya Temple in Kandy has a statue of Buddha (in Vajrasana) under a Makara Thorana and four Buddha images in a standing position. On both of its faces, The Makara Thorana is adorned with images of gods like Brahma, Santhusuta, Suyama, Natha and Maithree, and two followers.

            The chamber which is located inside the "Sikhara" (dome) consisted of a Buddha figure. But the image has been ruined by the Portuguese. Just beside the shrine room is a Devale (shrine) which is devoted to Lord Vishnu. There is a Stupa which is constructed on a rock beside the Vishnu Devale. Sri Lankans believe that the Stupa has been built by King Par Viharaya". It is the name of the monk who founded this temple.
akramabahu. Presently Gadaladeniya Temple in Kandy is identified as "Gadaladeniya".

EMBEKKE TEMPLE

Embekke dewalaya (Temple) is well known around the world for its amazing woodcarvings, Embekke is located close to kandy and about 9km from Kandy. Embekke was built during the Gampola period of King Wickrema Bahu II ( 1371 AD).

            The woodcarvings can be visible on almost all the wooden surfaces of the Dewalaya, the doors, beams, rafters etc… these carvings include , Hansa Puttuwa (entwined swans) double headed eagles, and entwined rope designs, mother breast-feeding child, soldier fighting on horseback, female dancing figures, wrestlers, women emanating from a vein, bird with human figure, combination of elephant-bull and combination of elephant-lion.

UDAWATTAKALE

                                      Udawattakale or Royal Forest Park is declared as a forest reserve in 1856 and 1938 as a sanctuary. The extent of this forest is about 257 acres and located behind most sacred Sri Dalada Maligawa or Temple of the Tooth of the Buddha. This was a important place in establishment of Kandy city. One of the hermit named 'Senkanda' who meditate in 'Senkandalena' cave shelter in this forest who informed king Wickramabahu (1371 A.D.) to establish Kandyan kingdom. The new kingdom also named as 'Senkadagalapura'. As tradition the royal palace and tooth temple also was constructed near the forest. The British constructed, The Pavilion building or the president house.

            The historical and important places's within the forest are, The Garrison Cemetery, Lady Horton Street, Senkanda Cave Shelter, Pus Wela - the Liana, Kodimale (flag mount), Royal Pond.

            There is a large number of endemic plants and animal species showing adaptations of different environmental conditions within the forest. Three storied vegetation namely the canopy (dominant), sub canopy and underground layers can be identified here.
Toque monkey, porcupines, mouse deer's, birds and butterflies are very common in this forest. Some common birds and mammals are found in the forest. The endemic birds of the forest are Sri Lanka Lanyard's Parakeet, Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot, Sri Lanka Hill Myna, Sri Lanka Brown Capped Babbler, Sri Lanka Yellow Fronted Barbet, Sri Lanka Gray Hornbill, Sri Lanka Wood Pigeon. Udawattakale also one of the most attractive place situated in Kandy city.

DAWSON TOWER

                                          The road connecting Colombo and Kandy is the first main road constructed in Ceylon, construction work began in 1820 under the supervision of William Francis Dawson assisted by Major Skinner, during British rule. Captain Dawson died before the completion of the project and the Dawson Tower was erected in his memory in 1832 at Kadugannawa.

            This is the highest point in the climb - the Kadugannawa Pass, which was the lookout point in the former Sinhala kingdom.

            This tunnel has been a landmark for over 175 years. Until about 25 years ago, all motor traffic to and from Kandy went through this tunnel. When it was found that the new long vehicles could not negotiate the sharp hairpin bend, another road was constructed with a wider bend and no overhead encumbrances.