Kandy, Sri Lanka

Kandy, called Maha Nuvara in Sinhala,
although often shortened to Nuvara,
is probably one of the most interesting places in Sri Lanka, just under 120km from Colombo

At around 490m ASL The holy city of Kandy is the jewel in the crown of Sri Lanka's cultural crown and Sri Lanka’s most visited place after the capital.

The main draw to Kandy is the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the golden-roofed Temple of the Tooth or Dalada Maligawa, where the sacred Buddha tooth relic is enshrined.
The Dalada Maligawa complex houses the Buddhist Publication Society of Kandy, Sri Lanka.
The best, and unfortunately the most expensive, time to visit Kandy is during Esala Perahera Buddhist festival that takes place in late July or early August, when on ten nights a replica of the sacred Buddha tooth relic casket is taken on a tusker of royal caste in a procession, accompanied by exotically costumed torch and banner bearers, Kandian dancers and drummers, together with around 100 elephants.
Kandy , situated on the banks of the Mahaweli River, was a 14th century King Wickramabahu's capital that fell to the British in 1815 and is one of the most scenic cities in Sri Lanka, lying in the midst of the hills around the Kandy Valley, an area mainly of tea, tropical timber and fruit plantations, but mainly tea.
Kandy has preserved its status as the religious centre for the Sinhalese and place of pilgrimage for Buddhists from around the world, namely those belonging to the Theravada school of learning. Another festival is Esala Mangallaya.
For your Kandy holiday there are a number of good hotels, guesthouses and cottages in Kandy. A reasonable nightlife revolves around the tourist hotels. There are plenty of bars in the city that have an interesting local atmosphere.
Kandyan Dancers preserve and show in their traditional dances the ancient history and customs of old Ceylon and modern Sri Lanka.
Kandy ancient places and things to see:
Temple of the Tooth
Paradeniya Botanical Gardens
Kandyan crafts are well known and lacquerware, hemp mats and silver jewellery are popular buys.
Kandy is a point where you are close to the elephant orphanage at Pinnawela - one of the few places with a success record of breeding elephants in captivity.

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JeGraNet.com statement - 15 October 2008 - Quote from the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office website: "There is a high threat from terrorism in Sri Lanka. Fatal attacks have become more frequent. They have occurred in Colombo and throughout Sri Lanka, including places frequented by expatriate and foreign travellers. Further attacks may occur at any time. There is an increasing risk of British nationals being caught up in an attack". As independent travellers we left Colombo after just 9 days into our planned 6 month stay as a result of a feeling of insecurity, however we are sure that 'package tour' travellers to tourist resorts will probably enjoy a worry free holiday.