Kandy & The Temple of the Tooth

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Kandy & The Temple of the Tooth




Highlights & route
Visit the Temple complex during morning or evening puja. Stroll Kandy Lake, dip into the National Museum, and browse local gem and woodcraft boutiques. Spend an afternoon at Peradeniya Gardens and end with a cultural dance performance.

Insider tips
Dress modestly (shoulders/knees covered). Arrive early for puja to secure a good vantage point. For peaceful views, hike to Bahirawakanda Vihara Buddha statue at golden hour.

Best time
Year-round; July/August features the famous Esala Perahera pageant.

Suggested add-ons
Knuckles Mountain Range trekking; spice gardens in Matale; tea country by train to Nuwara Eliya or Ella.

Overview
Kandy is Sri Lanka’s cultural heartbeat, ringed by misty hills and centered on a serene lake. The Temple of the Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa) is one of Buddhism’s most sacred sites, drawing pilgrims daily to puja ceremonies of drums, incense, and lamps.

Why travelers love it
  • Sacred rituals and resplendent Kandyan architecture.
  • Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya with towering palms and orchid houses.
  • Traditional dance shows and craft ateliers.