Kandy | Sri Lanka - Life of a Passion

Kandy is the last King city, is one of the largest cities in Sri Lanka and is located in the central of the island. I was not that impressed by the city: it was too busy for me, not that much to do except for the famous temple of the tooth relic. Nonetheless, we filled our day here pretty good. Here are my must do’s when in Kandy.

1) Queen’s Hotel

This is one of the oldest hotels in Kandy. It used to be the residency of a British governor. Lord Mountbatten stayed here at one point.

2) Kandy Municipal Central Market

We spent our morning at the Municipal Central Market. This place has everything you want to buy: clothing, fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, and spices. I sometimes got nauseous due to the smell of the fish but the fruits I tasted were so good!

Kandy Municipal Central Market in Kandy, Sri Lanka

3) Kandy City Centre Shopping Mall

After our market experience, we also took a look at the Kandy City Centre. The shopping mall resembles the malls in Europe: modern and clean. We saw even some shops we knew: Nike, Bodyshop & Adidas.

4) Kandy Lake

Our hotel, the temple of the Tooth Relic, the Queen’s Palace are all located next to Kandy Lake. Fishing in the lake is strictly forbidden. We walked around the lake when we went to the dance show and the temple of the Tooth Relic.

5) Bahirawakanda Vihara

We were brought to a viewpoint in Kandy where we saw the giant white Buddha statue. The Bahiravokanda Vihara Buddha statue is 27 meters high.

6) Wood Shop

We also visited a woodshop where they showed us how to make paint from the rainbow tree. This was so special because it looked like magic!

7) Kandyan Art Association & Cultural Centre

We started our night with a cultural dance show. This was the first time that we saw more than 4 tourists in the same place! The dance show was beautiful and lasted 1 hour. The show ended with a typical walk on fire spectacle.

Kandyan Art Association & Cultural Centre in Kandy, Sri Lanka

8) Queen’s Palace

Right in front of the Temple of the Tooth Relic is the Queen’s Palace. The queen resided in this palace and later on also the brothers of the last King of Sri Lanka.

9) Temple of the Tooth Relic

When visiting Kandy, you have to visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic. This temple houses the upper left canine from Buddha. Before entering the temple, you’ll have to pass a security check of your bags and a personal check. There was in the 1990s a bombing at the gate of the temple, so, therefore, these security reasons. After you entered the temple, you have to take off your shoes and leave them at a booth.

When we entered the temple complex, we admired it with awe. The original temple of the tooth is very beautiful! The original temple sits in a building now to protect it, so this was something I’ve never seen. The temple complex also houses a temple where the Sri Lankan independence was signed.

After that, we went to the Temple of the Tooth Relic. The tooth on itself cannot be viewed, but the casket in which it is located can be. Here, you have 2 options: wait in a (long) queue to see the casket up close, or just see the casket from further away. We did the last thing and waited for the doors to open. Eventually, the doors opened and we saw the casket. Only once a year, the tooth is taken out of the temple and brought to other cities. This 10-day festival is called the Esala Perahera.

Temple Fact: The doors are opened at around 5.30 AM, 9.30 AM, and 6.30 PM.

Temple Fact: Shoulders and knees must be covered for both men and women!