It seems incredible that Kandy with its spring-like beauty and sedate people was a historically volatile location. In the Sri Lankan long historical chronicles, Kandyan Kingdom erupted into focus only in the 14th century and was the last kingdom to fall into the British colony. However, despite its short span, the story of Kandy is poignant.
Dominating Kandy is the Temple of the Tooth or rather the Sri Dalada Maligawa [da-luh-da maa-li-gah-wa], housing the sacred remnants of Lord Buddha’s Tooth. As such this world heritage site is the most venerated place for Buddhists all over the world.
The Temple built by King Vimaladharmasuriya I, who is not known for half measures, is an exquisitely beautiful two-storied temple built on His palatial grounds. Surrounded by a moat, this Temple, one of the finest architectural examples of the 2nd Kandyan Kingdom preserves a Sinhala-style architectural form that dates back more than a thousand years. Constructed of stone, timber, with a tiled roof and complete with elaborate paintings, wood and stone carvings, Sri Dalada Maligawa is awe inspiring.
Facing the Temple is the magnificent Kandy Lake – Kiri Muhunda [moo-hoo-dha], meaning the ‘milk ocean’. The last king of Sri Lanka, King Wickrema Rajasinhghe in His quest to create a celestial citadel designed the Lake, so that in the Lake’s reflection, Temple of the Tooth would appear floating. For effect He surrounded the Temple with cloud-like walls called walakulu bemma [wa-laa-ku-loo], meaning ‘cloud wall’ and the Lake with a wave-like wall called diyarali bemma [di-yuh-ra-li], meaning, ‘wave wall’.
Within the palatial grounds resides 4 Hindu temples or rather devale. Maha Vishnu Devale is a shrine on the North-West end of the Royal Palace. Built in the 18th century, this temple is a dedication to God Vishnu.
Natha Devale, built in the 14th century is the oldest shrine in Kandy, with good examples of both South Indian and Sinhala architecture.
On to the West of Natha Devale, across the Elephant Street is Pattini Devale. This simple building with its imposing roof is dedicated to the Goddess of Chastity, Pattni Deviyo. Just outside Pattini Devale entrance is the ancient Bo-tree shrine, Wel Bodhiya that is a shoot from the Sacred Bo-tree in Anuradhapura.
A little away from the Royal Palace is the Kataragama Devale with the icon of the God Kataragama or Skanda represented by a six headed figure with twelve hands riding a Peacock chariot.
Apart from the Temple of the Tooth and the main 4 devales, Kandy is dotted with historical monuments built especially in the 14th – 18th century era. About 2 km from the Royal Palace is Gangarama Vihara famous for its fine murals and the 10 m high Buddha statue carved out of sheer rock.
Hindagala Vihara is situated in the most idyllic, almost Walter-Disney movie setting of tall green trees, a gushing stream and a long steep flight of stone steps leading to the cave temple. The beautiful mural paintings in this cave temple were done in 4 different periods – the 1st dating as early as 7th century.
Lankatilaka Vihara boasts as been one of the best examples of Sinhala temple architecture.
In contrast Gadaladeniya Vihara is unique with its South Indian origins.
