Blog #Cinnamon Citadel Kandy

The island of Sri Lanka is one of the must-visit places for anyone looking to enjoy the continent of Asia. Among the many interesting cities worth checking out, one that stands out is Kandy. The city is Sri Lanka’s historic heart, shaped by faith, tradition and landscapes of the hills. Visiting the city is about moving at a slow pace while noticing details and understanding how daily life connects with centuries of history. This guide helps you explore Kandy with ease while making space for culture, nature and fun.

Settling In Kandy

Kandy sits in Sri Lanka’s central hills and is well connected to Colombo as well as other major towns. Many travellers arrive by train, enjoying a scenic journey through villages, forests as well as the plethora of tea-covered slopes. The train stops at the Kandy Railway Station near the city centre, and it is an easy journey from there. Buses and private vehicles also arrive regularly via winding hill roads. Once you arrive, choosing from the many hotels in Kandy Sri Lanka makes it easy to stay close to key places while remaining comfortable. If you are staying at a hotel like Cinnamon Citadel Kandy, you will be in close proximity to the Mahaweli River in a quieter setting while still being a short drive from the city centre. Tuk-tuks and taxis are widely available and are ideal for short trips around the region. Walking is also practical around the lake and nearby streets, where you can observe daily routines like shopping at markets, school runs and casual conversations.

The Shape of The City

Kandy can be considered a compact city, but the hills give it a layered feel. The city centre circles Kandy Lake, with religious sites, public buildings, as well as a number of shopping areas close by. Roads stretch outward into residential areas, markets and hillside neighbourhoods. Staying at one of the hotels near the lake or main roads makes exploring easier.

Visiting The Temple of The Sacred Tooth Relic

The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is considered one of the most the spiritual centres of Kandy and is one of the most important religious sites on the island. It houses a sacred relic believed to be a tooth of the Buddha and continues to be a place of daily worship. Visitors can observe prayer ceremonies that take place throughout the day. These moments give visitors a lot of knowledge and understanding about traditions that have remained part of life here for generations. Modest dress and respectful behaviour are expected within the temple grounds and are not generally tolerated by the clergy.

Walking Around Kandy Lake

Kandy Lake is at the very centre of the city and is quite a calm space surrounded by hills and trees. A walking path runs along much of the shoreline and is used daily by residents and visitors. Walking here allows you to move between nearby sights while enjoying views of the water. There are a number of benches that provide a good place to rest as well as chit chat while having a snack from small stalls nearby. Morning and late afternoon walks are especially pleasant, with cooler light and a gentle breeze. The lake walk is a nice way to pause, rest, and take a break from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the city.

Exploring Royal and Cultural Sites

Kandy’s royal past is visible in several historic buildings in close proximity to the temple. The former Royal Palace complex, for example, provides insight into how Kandyan kings lived and governed. Nearby museums display artefacts, clothing and records that help connect stories from the past to the present. These places are easy to explore on foot and reward those who take time to read and observe. Together, these sites help explain how leadership, belief and culture shaped the city.

Sri Lanka is a beautiful island with an interesting history behind it. While many visit the country for its amazing landmarks, plethora of activities and mouth-watering cuisine, there are a good few who come to explore the historical aspects of it. One such area worth exploring is the city of Kandy, which was the last known kingdom of Sri Lanka before falling completely under foreign rule. One of the more significant historic landmarks of Kandy is the Temple of the Tooth Relic, more commonly known as the Sri Dalada Maligawa by locals. This temple and museum are a must-visit for anyone interested in the religious and historical aspects that it holds. For anyone lodging at one of the Kandy hotels, getting to the Temple of the Tooth Relic is quite easy.

A Relic Steeped in Legend

The story of the temple begins with the Buddha’s left canine tooth, which is said to have been taken from his cremation pyre and later brought into Sri Lanka in the 4th century CE. Legends tell the story of how Princess Hemamala, accompanied by Prince Dantha, carried the relic hidden in her hair during the reign of King Kirti Sri Meghavaṇa. From that moment, the relic became not only a sacred object of worship but also a symbol to confirm royal legitimacy. It was later believed that whoever possessed this sacred relic was surely destined to rule the island. As time passed and the island’s capitals shifted from Anuradhapura to Polonnaruwa, Dambadeniya, and later Kotte, the relic journeyed alongside the rulers, protected in elaborate shrines. It finally found its permanent home in Kandy in the late 16th century during the reign of King Vimaladharmasuriya I. If you are staying at one of the hotels, like Cinnamon Citadel Kandy, it will be very easy to find your way to the temple.

A Living Legacy

The Temple of the Tooth is not just a museum made to be observed in silence, but a place full of life in the form of chants, lamps, incense and ritual. The daily routine inside the temple consists of three puja rituals that are held at dawn, noon and evening, performed by monks from the Malwathu and Asgiriya monastic chapters. On Wednesdays, there is a sacred bathing ceremony called Nanumura Mangallaya. The casket housing the relic is bathed in herbal water as part of this ritual. The water, later distributed among devotees, is believed to hold healing powers.

Layers of Art and Architecture

The quality of the temple is a direct parallel to the kind of splendour that was part of the late Kandyan Kingdom. The main entrance, known as Mahawahalkada, has a number of beautifully carved stone elephants and a Makara Torana, or (dragon display) arch. At the same time, the moonstone at the base symbolises the cycle of life. Inside, the walls are full of murals that tell various famous Buddhist tales, floral themes, and highly detailed woodwork reflecting the artistry of the 17th and 18th centuries. Probably the most recognisable structure within the complex is the Paththirippuwa, which is an octagonal pavilion overlooking Kandy Lake. King Sri Wickrama Rajasinha added it in the early 19th century as a royal audience hall.

Custodians of Faith and History

The guardianship of the temple has lain with the faction of figures known as the Nilames. The Diyawadana Nilame is the custodian responsible for the temple’s daily operations, in conjunction with the chief monks of the two monastic chapters. Together, they preserve traditions dating back many centuries. Despite surviving Portuguese and Dutch invasions, as well as a bombing in 1998, the temple continues with its rituals even to this day.

The Esala Perahera

Every July and August, the streets of Kandy burst into a spectacle of light, rhythm and movement. The Esala Perahera, held to honour the Tooth Relic, is one of Asia’s grandest processions. For ten nights, ornately dressed elephants, traditional dancers, drummers, and torchbearers parade through the city, carrying a replica of the sacred casket.