Kandy is a major city in Sri Lanka located in the Central Province. It was the last capital of the ancient kings’ era of Sri Lanka. The city lies in the midst of hills in the Kandy plateau, which crosses an area of tropical plantations, mainly tea. Kandy is both an administrative and religious city and is also the capital of the Central Province. Kandy is the home of the Temple of the Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa), one of the most sacred places of worship in the Buddhist world. Kandy is Sri Lanka’s second largest city located in the mountainous center of the island. It is considered by some as the cultural capital of Sri Lanka, and was declared a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1988. This sacred Buddhist site, popularly known as the city of Senkadagalapura, was the last capital of the Sinhala kings (15^th – 19^th Century).  

The Temple of the Scared Tooth Relic rests on the hallowed square where also is seen the four shrines of the gods Vishnu, Natha, Kataragama deviyo, and the goddess Pattini. Alongside this centre square are museums with artifacts from the former kingdom. 

The city has a compact city center area surrounded by a beautiful tropical rain forest hill country on all sides with exotic animals such as monkeys running around in the wild. but it is also a major shopping destination where all kinds of goods imaginable can be purchased at surprisingly low prices. There are also numerous bakeries, offering delicious local treats all over the city center. Overall Kandy is a great place to experience Sri Lankan culture and cuisine surrounded by a beautiful natural environment.

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Historical records suggest that Kandy was first established by the King Wickramabahu (1357-1374 CE) near the Watapuluwa area, north of the present city, and it was named Senkadagalapura at the time, although some scholars suggest the name ‘Katubulu Nuwara’ may also have been used. The origin of the more popular name for the city, Senkadagala, could have been from a number of sources. These include naming it after a brahmin named Senkanda who lived in a cave near the city, after a queen of King Wickramabahu named Senkanda or after a coloured stone named Senkadagala.

In 1592 Kandy became the capital city of the last remaining independent kingdom in Sri Lanka after the coastal regions had been conquered by the Portuguese. Invasions by the Portuguese and the Dutch (16th, 17th and 18th century) and also by the British (most notably in 1803) were repelled. The last ruling dynasty of Kandy was the ‘Nayaks’ of Kandy while the Kingdom preserved its independence until it finally fell to the British in 1815. The British deposed the king, Sri Wikrama Rajasingha, and all claimants to the throne, thus ending the last traditional monarchy of Sri Lanka, and replacing it with their monarchy. As the capital, Kandy had become home to the relic of the tooth of the Buddha which symbolizes a 4th-century tradition that used to be linked to royalty since the protector of the relic was seen fit to rule the land.

Thus, the Royal Palace and the Temple of the Tooth were associated with the administrative and religious functions of the capital city. Even after its conquest by the British, Kandy has preserved its function as the religious capital of the Sinhalese and a place of pilgrimage for Buddhists, namely those belonging to the Theravada school.

Portuguese invasions in the 16th century and 17th century were entirely unsuccessful. The kingdom tolerated a Dutch presence on the coast until 1761, when King Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe attacked and overran most of the coast, leaving only the heavily fortified Negombo intact. When a Dutch retaliatory force returned to the island in 1763, Sinhaleese King abandoned the coastline and withdrew into the interior of the island. When the Dutch continued to the jungles the next year, they were constantly harassed by disease, heat, lack of provisions, while the Kandyan sharpshooters, who hid in the jungle, inflicted heavy losses on the Dutch. The Dutch launched a better adapted force in January of 1765, replacing their troops’ bayonets with machetes and using more practical uniforms and tactics suited to speedy movement. They were initially successful, capturing the capital, but they took a deserted city, and the Kandyans withdrew to the jungles once more, refusing to engage in open battle. The Dutch, worn down by constant attrition, came to terms in 1766.

01. Sri Dalada Maligawa

The Sri Dalada Maligawa or the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is a temple in the city of Kandy in Sri Lanka. It was built within the royal palace complex which houses the only surviving relic of Buddha, a tooth, which is venerated by Buddhists. The relic has played an important role in the local politics since ancient times and it’s believed that whoever holds the relic holds the governance of the country, which caused the ancient kings to protect it with great effort. Kandy was the capital of the Sinhalese Kings from 1592 to 1815, fortified by the terrain of the mountains which was difficult to approach. The city is a world heritage site declared by UNESCO, partly due to the temple.

Monks of the two chapters of Malwatte and Asgiriya conduct daily ritual worship in the inner chamber of the temple, in annual rotation. They conduct these services three times a day: at dawn, at noon and in the evening.

On Wednesdays there is a symbolic bathing (Nanumura Mangallaya) of the Sacred Relic with a herbal preparation made from scented water and fragrant flowers. This holy water is believed to contain healing powers and is distributed among devotees who are present. There are special religious programmes conducted in the Maligawa on every Full Moon Poya day where large numbers of devotees participate. Apart from these daily, weekly and monthly ceremonies, there are four major ceremonies held every year. They are Aluth Sahal Mangallaya, Avurudu Mangallaya, Esala Mangallaya, Karthika Mangallaya. Of these, the most important is the Esala Mangallaya.

02. The Esala Perahera in Kandy

The Esala Perahera in Kandy is one of the oldest and grandest of all Buddhist festivals, featuring dancers, jugglers, musicians, fire-breathers, throngs of devotees and lavishly decorated elephants. This is in Esala (July or August), which is a month that is believed to commemorate the first teaching by Buddha after he attained enlightenment. The Kandy Esala Perahera lasts for ten days while the Sinhalese term ‘perahera’ means a parade of musicians, dancers, singers, acrobats and various other performers accompanied by a large number of caparisoned Tuskers and other elephants parading the streets in celebration of a religious event.

03. Sri Dalada Museum

The latest institution added to the Dalada Shrine is the ‘Sri Dalada Museum’. Ever since the Tooth Relic shrine was established in Kandy, different grades of visitors and devotees, ranging from Royalty and Heads of States to the poorest of the general public, have been offering various gifts to the Sacred Tooth Relic, and these were preciously protected in specially built store-rooms by the successive line of Diyawadana Nilames.

On the initiative of the previous Diyawadana Nilame, Neranjan Wijeratne, it was decided that these valuable artefacts should be made available for public display. On the invitation of the Diyawadana Nilame, the Museum has now been beautifully designed and organized by Prof.Leelananda Prematilleke, the Archaeological Director of the UNESCO-Sri Lanka Project of the Cultural Triangle, together with his team of officers.

The Dalada Museum is located on the first and the second floors of the new wing called the Alut Maligawa set up by one of the past Diyawadana Nilemes, T.B.Nugawela.

The display on the first floor consists of historical records from the time when the Tooth Relic was brought to Sri Lanka to the time of the British rule, the 1765 Dutch Plan of the Palace Complex, Lists of the Chief Prelates of the two monastic establishments of Malwatta and Asgiriya, who were responsible for the protection of the Tooth Relic, Lists of Kandyan Kings and the portrait busts and lists of the long line of Diyawadana Nilames, the Royal garments of king Kirti Sri Rajasinha, the Pingo used by the king in the Buddha-puja service, and the most recent discoveries of mural remains that were exposed due to the bomb blast caused by Tamil Tigers in January 1998. The photographic display includes some of the important sites where the sacred Tooth Relic was enshrined through the centuries and a large array of pictures depicting the immeasurable damage caused to the Dalada maligawa due to the bomb blast.

Among the items on view on the second floor are historical artefacts used in the daily ritual ceremonies of the Tooth Relic shrine, caskets, Buddha statues and typical Kandyan gold and silver jewelry studded with precious gem stones, all donated by the devotees. Also on view on this floor are some special exhibits of great historical and religious value. These include (a) the silver water pot offered by king Kirti Sri Rajasimha , (b) Silver hanging lamp offered by king Rajadhi Rajasinha, (c) the painted replica of Buddha’s Foot Print sent by king Borom Kot of Thailand when he sent some monks to establish the Higher Ordination on Sinhala monks headed by Venerable Walivita Saranankara ( who became Sangharaja subsequently), (d) The unique Relic Casket containing bodily relics of the great Thera Moggliputta who headed the Third Dhamma Council held by Emperor Asoka in the 3rd century BC, etc. Other significant exhibits include ancient flags, coins, carved ivory tusks donated by Burma, commemorative carved plaques, etc. A visit to this grandest display would evidently provide an insight into the splendour that was Kandyan Heritage, her Culture and the Arts.

04. Udawatta Kele Sanctuary

Udawatta Kele is a 257 acres forest reserve on a hill-ridge in the Kandy city. The sanctuary is famous for its extensive avifauna and adventurous bike rides. The reserve also contains a great variety of plant species, especially lianas, shrubs and small trees.

There are several giant lianas. Many of small and medium size mammals that inhabit Sri Lanka can be seen here. Udawatta Kele was designated as a forest reserve in 1856, and it became a sanctuary in 1938.

The forest is of religious importance as there are three Buddhist meditation hermitages and three rock shelter dwellings for Buddhist monk hermits.

05. Bhairovakanda Buddha Statue

Although not of any historical significance, this is perhaps the introductory symbol of Kandy. It is one of the cultural things to do in Kandy. The temple is known for its giant Buddha statue. The statue of Buddha is depicted in the position of the Dhyana Mudra, the posture of meditation associated with his first Enlightenment, and can be seen from almost everywhere in Kandy. It stands at 26.83 m (88.0 ft) high and is one of the tallest Buddha statues in Sri Lanka. The  Buddha Statue can be seen from almost everywhere in the Kandy city.

This iconic massive Buddha overlooking Kandy is well worth a visit. A ten minute tuk tuk ride from the city center will bring you to this is the ideal place to take panoramic pictures of the historic city.

For a better viewing experience take the twenty minute climb up the stairs to the Buddha statue. It is really worth it the effort!

06. Kandy View Point

The enthralling Kandy view point is located on the Rajapihilla Mawatha and is ranked 5th out of 105 tourist attractions in Kandy. The place is found near the Kandy Lake and is enclosed in breathtaking landscapes of mountains and meadows. From the city, you have to take the Rajapihilla Mawatha Route, after which a 1 km sharp climb will guide you to the view point. You can also hire a tuk-tuk to reach the top. The panoramic view that you would get to see is worth the pain of the climb. The entire Kandy town lies ahead of your eye, and from the top, you can also spot the Kandy Lake and Sri Dalada Maligawa.

07. British Garrison Cemetery, Kandy

British Garrison Cemetery also known as the Kandy Garrison Cemetery is a British cemetery in Kandy, Sri Lanka, for British nationals who died in Ceylon. It was established in 1817 just after British captured the Kandy and closed in 1873 due to a ban on burials within the municipal limits, although special provision was given to allow the burial of relatives of those interred in the cemetery, with last person buried there being Annie Fritz in 1951. The cemetery contains 195 graves of men, women and children. The most common causes of death were tropical diseases such as malaria and cholera.

The cemetery was restored in 1998 using financial contributions from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and is currently maintained by a group called  “The Friends of the British Garrison Cemetery in Kandy”. The cemetery is located within the land of the Sri Dalada Maligawa and the cemetery is maintained by the British while the Diyawadana Nilame and the Chief Prelates maintain the land. This striking European style graveyard has many stories to tell of the young souls who died during the British Colonization of SriLanka.  Most of the graves have engravings written on the lives of these good souls (few brave soldiers, many infants, and land owners).

08. Kandy Lake

This is one of the many free things to do in Kandy. Next to the Temple of the Sacred tooth relic, you will find the cities Lake. An artificial lake built in the heart of the city in 1807 by King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe, the last ruler of the kingdom of Kandy. The people initially objected to laboring on the lake project, but those who objected were ruthlessly put to death on stakes in the lake bed. So the lake has a bloody history.

There are many legends and folklore regarding the protected lake. One such is that the small island at its center was used by the king’s helm for bathing and was connected to the palace by a secret tunnel. Later the British used it to store ammunition, and they were the ones who built the fortress style parapet around the area. Kandy Lake is a dominating part of Kandy city, and you can`t miss it! The lake is charming and peaceful and is our absolute favorite part of Kandy.

09. Ceylon Tea Museum, Kandy

The Ceylon Tea Museum is located in the former Hanthana Tea Factory, which was originally constructed in 1925. It is situated 3 km (1.9 mi) south of Kandy.

Hanthana was one of the first successful areas to cultivate tea following the failure of coffee production on the island. In 1959 the Tea Research Institute of Ceylon established a sub-station on land leased from the Hanthana Estate, similar to the Passara sub-station established in the 1920s. The Hanthana Station was set up to cater to the needs of mid-country tea plantations with regard to the physiology, entomology of tea and in particular the identification of drought-resistant clones and the insect pest shot-hole borer.

The Ceylon Tea Museum was incorporated on 9 January 1998, under Section 21 of the Companies Act of 1982, in a move initiated by Clifford Ratwatte (Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tea Board). The museum was formally opened on 1 December 2001.

The Ceylon Tea Museum at Hantane, three kilometres from Kandy city is served by a motorable road that circles the museum, provides easy access and adequate parking facilities for cars and tourist coaches. The museum consists of four floors. The ground floor and the second floor exhibit very old items of machinery and the first floor consist of a library and an auditorium with facilities for audio visual presentations. The third floor is allocated to tea sales outlets, where a selection of Sri Lanka’s fine tea is available. The entire top floor is a tea cafe. A panoramic view of the Kandy town surrounded by the beautiful Hunasgiriya, Knuckles Range and the Matale range of hills can be viewed through a telescope mounted on the fourth floor. The grounds surrounding the Tea Museum are landscaped with different varieties of teas. Kandy is a mandatory stop virtually on every tourist’s itinerary and the location of the Ceylon Tea Museum at Hantane enhances the attraction of the hill country to visitors. Additionally, its proximity to the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens and Loolecondera estate, where tea was first grown commercially in Sri Lanka makes Hantane the perfect location.

10. Lankathilake Viharaya, Kandy

Lankatilaka Viharaya is an ancient Buddhist temple situated in Udunuwara of Kandy, Sri Lanka. It is located on Daulagala road approximately 4 km away from Pilimatalawa junction and a few kilometres from the ancient buddhist temple, Gadaladeniya Vharaya. It is considered as the most magnificent architectural edifice created during the Gampola era.

The majestic Lankatilaka Raja Maha Viharaya, was built at the crest of a large rock named “Panhalgala” overlooking the Hantane mountain range in the Hiripitiya hamlet in Udunuwara.

The history of the temple dates back to the 14th century, and a pre-colonial Lanka where several strong kingdoms ruled the land. At a time when the capital of the Sinhalese kingdom was Kurunegala, that era drew to a close when the Sinhalese kings decided on setting up the new kingdom at Gampola, a safe stronghold on the bank of the Mahaweli river.

According to historical reports this temple was built by King Bhuvanekabahu IV, who reigned from 1341 to 1351 A. D. He entrusted the construction of this temple to his Chief Minister named Senalankadhikara, who successfully finished the works of this temple. The architecture of the temple was designed by a South Indian architect named Sathapati Ravar. According to the Professor Senarath Paranavithana, Sathapati Rayar designed this temple using Sinhalese architecture of Polonnaruwa era and also with other Dravidian and Indo Chinese architectural patterns.

The vihara buildings have been built on a natural rock called Panhalgala Rock. Among the buildings the image house possesses characteristically outstanding architectural features, embellished with traditional Sinhalese sculptures.  According to the facts recorded in the Lankathilake copper plaque, this image house was construct as a four storied mansion with height of eighty feet, but today only 3 stories can be seen. The walls and the ceiling of the image house has been adorned with the Kandyan era paintings and sculptures.

Rock curved inscriptions found in the temple premises with both Sinhala and Tamil sections, proclaim about the initiators and the facilities gifted to this temple by the kings.

The image house of the Lankatilaka is enriched with five devales. God Upulvan, Ganapathi, Saman, Vibhishana and Kumara Bandara are worshipped here. God Kumara Bandara is believed to be the deity, who protects the Lankatilaka viharaya.

In front of the main entrance of the temple stands the preaching hall that covered with flat roof tiles, as opposed to the ordinary half round tiles, used to cover the central part of the roof and to create beautiful patterns.

The main Vihare has been built using granite with a plaster covering, has three stories built on natural rock. Elegant architectural design and wall paintings rich in colours of the Kandyan period, adorn the inside walls and the ceiling of the main image house. The two large lion paintings and two figures of guards facing each other decorate the two walls of the short corridor to the image house. Inside the image house is a magnificent glory – a twelve-foot high Buddha image under a beautiful Makara Thorana .

11. Gadaladeniya Temple, Kandy

Gadaladeniya Rajamaha Viharaya with an ancient monastery located 16km from the city is found on the flat rock at Diggala in the district of Kandy.

According to a inscription there this temple was built by King Buwanekabahu IV in the year 1344.

The main shrine room has seated (in Vajrasana) Buddha Statue under a Makara Thorana and four standing Buddha images. The makara thorana is decorated on both faces with gods such as Brahma, Suyama, Santhusuta, Natha and Maithree, and two attendants.

The Gadaladeniya temple is located in a small hilltop, but can easily reach from the main road. Once you are in the summit, you can get a good view of the surrounding area from here.

At the entrance you can see the Dageba ( pagoda) by your right hand side. Actually this consists of one main Dageba and four small ones. The main Dageba is covered with a roof. There are four small shrine rooms around it with small dageba located top of each.

The Boo tree is located in front of the dageba and there is an old inscription located by it. You can see that is covered with a fence to prevent from damaging. In the main shrine room there is a large Buddha statue. This temple has some features of the south Indian architecture.

12. Embekka Devalaya, Kandy, Sri Lanka

Embekka Devalaya is situated in Medapalata Korale of Udunuwara in Kandy district. The easiest way to get to Embekka is coming from Colombo – Kandy main road at Pilimathalawa. There is a clear sign post erected by the Archaeological Department of Sri Lanka at the start of the road to Embekka. It is about 7 – 8 km (5.0 mi) from Pilimathalawa to Embekka from the Colombo – Kandy main road. On the Daulagala road proceed about a mile and you will come to the Gadaladeniya junction, which you can see the famous Gadaladeniya right at the junction. Both roads from the junction would take you to Embekka. The shortest would be the one to the right.

Embekka Devalaya (Embekka Temple) was built by the King Vikramabahu iii of Gampola Era (AD 1357 – 1374) in Sri Lanka. The devalaya is dedicated to Kataragagama deviyo. A local deity called Devatha Bandara is also worshiped at this site. The shrine consists of three sections, the “Sanctum of Garagha”, the “Digge” or “Dancing Hall” and the “Hevisi Mandapaya” or the “Drummers’ Hall”. The Drummers’ Hall that has drawn the attention of visitors to the site, due to the splendid wood carvings of its ornate pillars and its high pitched roof.

It is said that some of the wood work utilized for the “Drummers’ Hall” came from an abandoned “Royal Audience Hall” at Gampola. There is every possibility the hall has seen repairs during the reigns of the Sinhalese Kings of Kandy. The carvings, which adorn the wooden pillars of the drummers’ hall, as well as the “Vahalkada” (the entrance porch of the devala, which is said to be older) are some of the best examples of Sinhalese craftsmanship.

The roof itself has significant features. The rafters all slant from above towards the incoming visitor are fixed together and kept in position by a “Madol Kurupawa”, a kind of a giant catch pin the like of which we do not find elsewhere.

13. Hanthana Mountain Range

The Hanthana Mountain Range lies in central Sri Lanka, south-west of the city. It was declared as an environmental protection area in February 2010 under the National Environment Act. The maximum height of the range is 3800 ft. The mountain range consists of seven peaks.

The highest one being the Uura Kanda. The range is a favorite destination among mountain hikers in Sri Lanka.

The Hanthana Mountain range is a beautiful delightful set of hill tops which are stunning with lush panoramic views. Overlooking grassy plains and eucalyptus trees lining the estates, you will see friendly faces of the estate workers greeting you.

The range is also a big hit with hikers and adventure seekers where they do a good hike by traveling up to the point which has seen rapid development in the form of communication towers.

14. Visit a spice garden

Sri Lanka is well known for production and hosting of spice garden and hence known as the Land of Spices. There are 15 distinct types of spices are cultivated in spice gardens in Sri Lanka; most of these spices are being exported to the global Spice Market. Spices are one of the major products of Sri Lankan Spice gardensl. Everyone and specifically the tourists from different places should have to know the right place to visit for the purchase of pleasurable and required goods and so for the spices. Visiting and purchasing the things and commodity-like spices requires a good knowledge of availability. If a guest does not realize the correct spots to buy species, it’s so simple to be tricked for low-value flavors or pay pointlessly over the top costs. Visit Sri Lanka which is known for species, without observing those amazing spices creature developed would really be a pity as well.

Spice Gardens shapes a key fascination with Sri Lanka. The nation is well known over the world for its uncommon accumulation of spices and herbs. The key fascination of this area is to investigate the famous and additionally the unusual herbs being are prepared in the most stunning way. Herbs those are regular in a family unit like Peppercorns, Turmeric, Cardamom, Cloves, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Vanilla, Aloe Vera, Cocoa, and so on are being handled here. The best piece of visiting the Spice Garden in Kandy is to assemble learning about the herbs, their development procedure, their advantages and helpfulness in Human life. The common habitat and tranquil excellence of the spice Garden is one of the hypnotizing encounters for each traveler. Far from the bundle of town life, this is a total differentiation of condition.

In Sri Lanka, not all spices are grown in the same garden. So, the visitor should have to choose the right place for right spice. They may hire a guide or can use digital advisory to be familiar with the spice gardens and types of spice are cultivated and grown in some particular garden.

There are many spice gardens in Sri Lanka. Some of them are very good and eye soothing. You can choose different spice gardens where scents of cinnamons, pepper, cardamom, nutmeg, and mace overpower the faculties and the guests are given an understanding into a well-established industry of zest generation, which pulled in numerous European and Asian vendors to the ports of old Sri Lanka.

Ranweli Spice Garden at No. 99 Kaudupellella, Matale is one of the best Spice gardens in Sri Lanka as per views of the travelers. In Ranweli Spice Garden, One hour Tour around the Garden with an English talking guide giving you an exhibition of Sri Lankan flavors and zest history of the island. They offer travel direction to make your stay in Sri Lanka an extraordinary ordeal and help you make great recollections to cherish. Smells of cinnamons, pepper, cardamom, nutmeg, and mace overpower the faculties and the guests are given a knowledge into a deep-rooted industry of flavor generation, which pulled in numerous European and Asian shippers to the ports of old Sri Lanka. Here you will find spices like: vanilla, cacao, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, citronella, tumeric, & cloves … The spice gardens are normally free to enter. You might be offered a guide, and pushed a bit to buy something at the end of the visit.

15. Royal Botanical Garden – Peradeniya

Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens, the finest of its kind in Asia, the largest of the botanical gardens of Sri Lanka, couldn’t be better located. In the Mediterranean climate of Kandy, the gateway to the Central Highlands, the Gardens, at an elevation of 500 meters above sea-level, were tightly bounded on three sides by a loop of River Mahaweli (Great sandy river), the largest river of Sri Lanka. The town of Peradeniya is located at a distance of 110km from Colombo and another 6km over the Peradeniya Birdge and you are at Kandy, home to the sacred Temple of Tooth.

Peradeniya, Royal Botanic Gardens, grows over 4,000 species of plant and It attracts over 2 million visitors per year. Newcomers to tropical botany will love this experience; the large collection of orchids is particularly spectacular. The historic Royal Botanical Garden is dated back to 1371. The total area of the garden is 147 acres.

Orchid House & Gardens of Royal Botanic Gardens Peradeniya.
The Orchid House offers the visitor a captivating display of exotic blooms of Cattleya, Dendrobium, Arachnis, Oncidium, Phalaenopsis, Vanda and their hybrids. Around the Orchid House may be seen several hardy tropical orchids including the largest orchid in the world.
(Grammatophyllum speciosum) which produces flower spikes up to 2.5 m long and the Green Orchid (Coelogyne meyeriana).

Fernery
Adjoining the Flower Garden is the Fernery. It is beautifully landscaped with intersecting paths and is well shaded by lofty trees draped with climbing vines and creepers. The fern collection includes about 100 indigenous and exotic species.

Great Lawn
Close to Monument Road is the Great Lawn. The most unique feature here is the Java Willow or Java Fig Tree (Ficus benjamina) which occupies the centre of the lawn like a giant living umbrella.

The Lake
The Lake is situated in South Drive to the left of the Main Entrance. The margin of the Lake is planted with marsh plants. The most noteworthy is the Papyrus of the Nile (Cyperus papyrus) The centre of the lake is covered with different (Nymphaea) plants.

Spice Garden
The shady Spice Garden situated on the right of the Main Entrance has a representative selection including cinnamon – the main spice exported from this country, pepper – the most demanded spice in the world, cardamom and nutmeg. Some of the oldest nutmeg trees planted in 1840 are still in full bearing. In addition there are bay leaf (Pimenta racemosa) and allspice (Pimenta dioica) trees.

Double Coconut Palms
There are over 200 species of palms in the Gardens. The most remarkable amongst these is the Double Coconut (Lodoicea maldivica) from the Seychelles. This palm produces the largest seed in the plant kingdom -The fruits take five years to mature. These palms may be seen flanking Monument Road, which branches off to the left from the Main Central Drive, about 100 m from the Main Entrance.

16. St.Paul’s Church in Kandy

St. Paul’s Church is located in the main city on sacred grounds west of the Temple of the Tooth. Towering Construction of this Church began in 1843 and was completed in 1848. The church was later enlarged in 1878 and 1928. It was consecrated in 1853 and was meant to be a symbol of British power. As it was first used by British officials and the British Garrison, it has been called the Garrison Church.

St. Paul’s church, with its simple and spacious interior, has been maintained for over 150 years as a fitting memorial to the colonial and multicultural, multi-religious heritage. The idea of a Church is born in 1825 – When the second Bishop of Calcutta, the Rt. Rev. Reginald Heber visited Kandy in 1825 for a Confirmation Service, he noted that Sunday worship and church festivals were being held in the ancient Audience Hall of the late Kings of Kandy, which served as a church to the British garrison in Kandy and a smaller number of Ceylonese. The Bishop observed the great need for a church of their own, more appropriately sited and more suitably designed.

It was to this church that His Majesty King George III presented a silver-gilt communion set, which was sent from the Royal establishment to this church, as it served the spiritual needs of the British military garrison. This gift continues in use at St. Paul’s, especially at the Services for Easter and Christmas.

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