 Known locally as Maha Nuvara, Kandy in the central region of Sri Lanka is an enticing destination offering a rich combination of cultural heritage and scenic mountain scenery. Listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site, the city is home to a whole host of fascinating historic sites and provides an essential stop on the travel itinerary of anyone seeking more than just a taste of Sri Lanka’s beach resorts.
The city has an international reputation, assisted by its location in the middle of a large tea-growing region and attractions such as the Temple of the Tooth. For devoted Buddhists, the latter makes for the ultimate pilgrimage destination, while for visitors with an interest in eastern philosophies it’s also a not-to-be-missed site. Aside from religious sites, Kandy has a large selection of other interesting holy structures including a variety of Hindu shrines.
 The Esala Perahera festival in June is the highlight of Kandy’s calendar and one of the country’s most significant annual events. Many visitors plan their trips to coincide with this vibrant and colourful affair which sees processions and ethnic dance performances in honour of the sacred tooth relic. A variety of other religiously-oriented festivals run throughout the year with the monthly full-moon celebrations always worthy of attending.
 Kandy’s appeal as destination for nature lovers and those who enjoy spending time in the great outdoors is significant, with the city sitting amid some truly stunning mountain ranges and on the doorstep of some breathtaking natural parks. Opportunities to appreciate the indigenous flora and fauna are plentiful, with local guides providing structured tours of key destinations. Ornithologists in particular will find Kandy’s selection of bird life of great interest.
The city is well geared to receiving tourists, offering an excellent selection of accommodation options with everything from backpacker establishments to upmarket hotels. Dining opportunities are also plentiful with options to enjoy local delicacies as well as Chinese and European cuisines. Local markets and traditional shopping emporiums present some great chances to pick up typically Kandyan souvenirs and handicrafts.
Kandy is easily reached from the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo, with bus, taxi or train options taking just three hours. Colombo has its own international airport from where flights from a large number of international destinations including London are regularly scheduled.
History
Kandy is believed to have been first settled in the 14th century by King Wickramabahu, who established a territory north of what constitutes as the current city. The territory was named Senkadagalapur, a title thought to have been taken from the name Senkanda, a local Brahmin, or from Queen Sendanka, the wife of King Wickramabahu. Alternatively, the name might have been taken from the coloured stone Senkadagala.
During the 16th century, the Portuguese conquered much of Sri Lanka’s coastal region, prompting the native settlers to create the capital and stronghold of Kandy in order to defend those areas that were still free from colonialism. From there on, the city proved to be a force to be reckoned with, successfully defending itself against attacks by the Portuguese, Dutch and British during the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries.
The Dutch in particular faced heavy defeats during this period, struggling with the adverse conditions in the jungles and outwitted by Kandyan soldiers who were well adjusted to the terrain. Portuguese offensives launched earlier in the same period were similarly unsuccessful.
The British eventually established superiority across the country in 1815, marking an end to Kandy’s independence and the ultimate eradication of Nayak control, the city’s final ruling dynasty. Sri Lanka’s monarchy and ruling line was subsequently abolished and replaced. British rule failed to diminish the city’s importance as a destination for religious pilgrimage, with the Temple of the Tooth (housing a tooth of the Buddha) continuing to draw the devoted.
Nowadays, Kandy has become a popular tourist spot offering an altogether different experience from the chaotic capital Colombo.
Weather
Kandy lies inland and experiences a climate that is wetter and colder than popular coastal destinations in Sri Lanka. The moderate climate and moist air (relative humidity of 70 to 79 per cent) of Kandy and its surrounding regions are features that have assisted it in becoming famous for tea-growing.
The city’s dry season runs from December through April, during which time temperatures fall in the 22ºC to 30ºC range. The monsoon season follows, lasting from May through August and seeing temperatures in the 25ºC to 29ºC range. The third and final season of the year is known as the inter-monsoon season, lasting from September through November and seeing temperatures in the 24ºC to 29ºC range.
The dry season is typically the high season in Kandy, offering the most favourable weather conditions and consequently attracting the highest number of visitors. However, as it never really gets cold in the city, it’s possible to visit at any time of the year, although the wet season necessitates a waterproof jacket.
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