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Excursions in and around Kandy from
Grand Kandy Villa |
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Temple of the Sacred tooth
relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa) |
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Kandy's
most dominant landmark is
the Dalada Maligawa, the 16
th - 19 th
century moated and golden -
roofed temple of the sacred
tooth relic of the Buddha.
It is one of Sri Lanka's
most sacred and venerated
Buddhist shrines.
The
Dalada Maligawa draws
multitudes of pilgrims
daily, who come to worship
and participate in
traditional rituals, which
are held three times a day.The
atmosphere of lively
religious activities as part
of a busy day to day life
along is worth to go and
have a look what is going on
in the the temple premises.
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Gadaladeniya, Lankathilaka,
Embakke
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These
religious edifices called
the western shrines are some
of the oldest buildings in
the Kandyan kingdom dating
from the 14 th centaury A.D.
They contain painting and
sculptures of great
historical and artistic
importance. The genius of
the Kandyan master craftsmen
are attested here, whereby
Gadaladeniya Viharaya is
built of stone, Lankathilaka
Viharaya and its devale from
clay bricke with a unique
architectural design and
Embakke Devale out of wood.
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Devanagala Viharaya
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The
western side has the famous
"Balana" pass where all the
historic Portuguese
invasions of Kandy took
place over and over again,
where they were trapped and
destroyed. This is on the
Colombo - Kandy road from
where you can see the unique
scenery of Bible Rock (798
m). Also a little below can
be seen a shape of a white
Dagaba situated on top a
bald round rock. It is
Devanagala Viharaya and the
climb to the top takes about
45 minutes. The ruins and
360 degree view are
spectacular ad gives an
insight to impregnability of
this highland kingdom.
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Udawattakele & Garrison
Cemetery
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This
reserve forest and sanctuary
borders the old town of
Kandy on the eastern side
behind the temple of the
Tooth. Till 1815 it was
exclusively reserved for
royalty and out of bound for
others. The Sinhalese name
was Tahansikale meaning
forbidden forest. It
contains primeval forests
and some endemic spices in
its actual much reduced
state of 207 acres. Many
streams flow out of this
forest.
The
Garrison Cemetery ::
The older cemetery was
mainly a military burial
ground. It belonged to the
Episcopal church society.
Members were allowed to
purchase blocks for burial
of family members.
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Galmaduwa & Degaldoruwa
Viharayas
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Galmaduwa
viharaya is a rather curious
unfinished edifice stopped
due to the discovery of the
cave at Degaldoruwa.
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Peradeniya Botanical Garden
& Hindagala Viharaya
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Tropical
Sri Lanka is best glimpsed
through a walk in to the
peradeniya botanical gardens
founded in 1821 to introduce
coffee to the region. It
occupies 146 acres along a
loop of the Mahaweli river
and contains around 4000
species developed in to one
of the best in Asia. Not to
missed the great circle,
Royal palm avenue, Orchid
house, great lawn and giant
tropical trees and of course
the flowers.
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Churches in Kandy
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The
conversion of Kandyan
population necessitated the
building of proper places of
worship. Starting from the
Peradeniya garden along the
old road to Kandy are three
churches of interest. The
first one is St. John's, the
second is St. Mark's. Only
the parish priest at St.
John's has the key to this
one and he is ever ready to
show it. The third one is
St. Paul's church in the
premises of the esplanade of
the Maligawa. It contains
interesting tombstones and
epithets. The wind organ
still works and the stained
glass windows are
delightful. A Sunday service
can also be attended.
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Elephant ride & Countryside
Walk
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By the Mahaweli river an
elephant will take you across
and through green paddy fields
and village homes arriving at a
pathway for a pleasant walk
amidst the countryside meeting
people as you go along. Picnic
alongside a river or maybe
invited by one of the wayside
friends. Re-crossing the river
on a suspension bridge, you will
be met and brought back to Grand
Kandy Villa.
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Golf links at Digana
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The newest addition to the
island's golf courses is the
Victoria Golf Course at Digana.
Located on a 207 hectares with 8
Km waterfront it overlooks the
panoramic Victoria Reservoir.
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Paddy cultivation &
Harvesting
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Throughout the year one stage of
rice cultivation can be observed
anywhere in the region as you
drive along the many off-roads
in the areas..
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Traditional Crafts
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Kandy is a busting, lively but
small city - perhaps more a big
village - with bazaars, markets
and shops. Among them are
traditional crafts - carved
silver and brassware shops.
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