A step-by-step guide on how to maximize your journey to Kandy
December 22, 2017
I’ll be honest, the allure of Kandy completely missed me. To this day, I look back at my Sri Lanka trip fondly (even Colombo!), but Kandy I will definitely skip the next time I go back. Having said that, if you’re already travelling around the Hill Country and about to embark on Sri Lanka’s famed Cultural Triangle (which was my plan), then Kandy’s as good a pitstop as any. Actually, Kandy is perfect because all the trains stop here, and all the buses stop here as well
Anyway, enough of me caterwauling, if you’ve been following my Sri Lanka journey, then you would’ve read all about my Colombo and Ella account. If not, do feel free to check them out as well!
How to get to Kandy?
As I was travelling to Ella from Kandy on my own, I opted to just take the train (roughly a 6 hours journey, can go up if delayed!). I booked the ticket as soon as I arrived at Ella – thank God there were tickets left! There was no need to worry though, as the entire train was empty at 6:40AM – phew, looks like no one else planned to travel that route for that particular day (or maybe at that time)
This time around, I decided to just get a 2nd class reserved ticket given that they were still available. All in all, an uneventful ride. I’m sure I would’ve been ohh-ing and ahh-ing over the beautiful scenery but I’d already seen it once (for >4 hours – from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya to Ella), plus I woke up so early, I wanted to make use of the time to nap
What to do in Kandy? (combination of attractions and food guide!)
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
If you do nothing else in Kandy, make sure you do THIS. You’re probably wondering, what’s this sacred tooth and why is it so special? Well, supposedly, this sacred tooth was Buddha’s and it’s guarded quite zealously (so don’t expect to see it!) The tooth comes out only once every 5 years, and for 5 hours only during that day. The next time it’s coming out is 2020, so mark your calendars my friends!
The entrance fee is LKR 1,000 for foreigners – pretty steep in my mind, given that I wouldn’t be seeing much; but pay I did. Once inside the temple, I shambled around and saw a long queue. I figured queues always mean something at the end, so I gamely spent ~30 minutes in line, spent ~10 seconds in front of a closed door (which I assume held the sacred tooth), and promptly moved onwards once more
Since I’d already paid, I decided to spend a few more minutes around the temple. One pretty sight was where people were offering up incense to their forebears
British Garrison Cemetery
A few meters beyond the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is the British Garrison Cemetery, where British nationals who died in Ceylon are buried. To get here, just climb up the hill for ~5-10 minutes, and you’ll see a booth (that’s empty) which serves as the entrance to the cemetery
I know it’s weird that I’m advocating you head to a cemetery during your travels, but I actually really enjoyed my time here. In a city where I was expecting to be WOW-ed by the history, given that Kandy used to be the capital city, I was left with a distinct taste of commercialization and blah. But here at the cemetery, I felt privileged to experience a bridge to a forgotten history in a forgotten corner (ok, not so forgotten) of Ceylon
As you enter, grab a pamphlet from the caretaker which will detail out who’s buried where and how they died. In those early days of colonization, it didn’t matter if you were young or old, rich or poor – life was hard either way, and many didn’t survive
Here you see the burial of a famed Captain who survived the battle of Waterloo only to succumb to malaria, there you have a once-wealthy coffee plantation baron who lost it all, while in another spot, you see the sad graves of babies who never made it past their first birthday
An interesting sojourn indeed, and yours for the taking for free (do leave a small tip though, for the continued maintenance of the cemetery)
Muslim Hotel
After a morning spent at the temple, followed by the cemetery, you must be famished (or at least I was!) Good thing the Muslim Hotel was walking distance from the cemetery. The place may not look like much (hotel is way too fancy a name for the establishment), but I had the BEST ROTTI here!
Bahiravokanda Vihara Buddha
Once you’ve been fed, you’re now ready to walk up the hill! It’s a bit of a trek going up, but once you’re there, you’ll be rewarded with a stunning bird’s eye view of Kandy city while perched on the shoulder of the white Buddha
Walk around Kandy Lake
Now that the sun is slowly making its way down the sky, it’s as good a time as any to take a nice stroll around the lake. Incredible really, when you consider how the city was built around the lake (and how civilization really always settle near bodies of water)
Sadly, I got caught in a typhoon-like downpour while walking around the lake – which rudely cut off my introspective musings (and made me sick the next day – probably also a reason why I wasn’t fond of Kandy!)
Kandy Garden Café
At the other side of the lake (essentially, complete opposite side from the temple), you’ll find this café tucked into the corner, but brimming with locals. Curious as to what the hype was about, I decided to grab a table and tuck in. Food was great, mango shake was not! I have no idea what I ordered really, but here’s a picture for your reference
Kandyan Dance Performance
I do NOT recommend this, and am really just putting here to tell everyone how much I don’t recommend it. For LKR 1,000, you’re treated to a largely forgettable cultural show – only saving grace being the firewalking that occurred at the end of the show (still trying to puzzle out HOW)
And that’s a wrap for Kandy! Next up, Sigiriya – undoubtedly my favorite (or 2nd favorite) stop of the entire trip!
If you wish to follow me on my 10-day Sri Lanka solo female backpacker journey, do check out my other blog posts as well:
- Sri Lanka Travel Guide for first-time travelers
- Start and end of trip: Colombo (includes day trip suggestions)
- Hill country: Ella
- Cultural Triangle: Sigiriya and Dambulla
- Beach-y wonder: Trincomalee
My schedule over the entire 10 days was essentially as follows:
| City | Attractions covered | |
| Day 1 | Colombo | Gangaramaya Temple, Cenotaph War Memorial, Viharamahedevi Park, Town Hall, Independence Memorial Hall, Aukana Buddha Statue, Jami Ul Afar Mosque, Ministry of Crab |
| Day 2 | Colombo | Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, Upali |
| Day 3 | Ella | Train from Colombo to Ella, Rawana Falls |
| Day 4 | Ella | Ella’s Rock, Nine Arches Bridge, Little Adam’s Peak |
| Day 5 | Kandy | Train from Ella to Kandy, Kandy Lake, Kandy Garden Café, Kandyan Dance |
| Day 6 | Kandy | Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, British Garrison Cemetery, Muslim Hotel, Bahiravokanda Vihara Buddha |
| Day 7 | Sigiriya | Bus from Kandy to Sigiriya, Pidurangula Rock |
| Day 8 | Sigiriya, Dambulla, Trincomalee | Sigiriya Rock, Dambulla Cave Temple, Koneswaram Temple, Lover’s Leap, Happy Creamery House |
| Day 9 | Trincomalee | Swim in the beaches of Trincomalee, Bus to Colombo, Spa Ceylon Spa & Boutique |
| Day 10 | Colombo | Gallery Café (Lunch), Rare by Uga (Tea) |
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viagara
That is the place I am. If photo voltaic can really get efficient enough-together with relatedapplied sciences, like batteries-then it may very wellbe a huge boon.LikeLike
Hey, how’s it going?
I want to pass along some very important news that everyone needs to hear!
In December of 2017, Donald Trump made history by recognizing Jerusalem as the captial of Israel. Why is this big news? Because by this the Jewish people of Israel are now able to press forward in bringing about the Third Temple prophesied in the Bible.
Jewish Rabbis have publicly announced that their Messiah will be revealed in the coming years who will be a leader and spiritual guide to all nations, gathering all religions under the worship of one God. They deny Jesus as their Messiah, and the Bible tells us this Jewish Messiah will be the counterfiet that will bring about a false peace, and ultimatley the great tribulation.
They even printed a coin to raise money for the Temple with Donald Trumps face on the front and with king Cyrus'(who built the second Temple) behind him. On the back of the coin is an image of the third Temple.
More importantly, the power that runs the world wants to put a RFID microchip in our body making us total slaves to them. This chip matches perfectly with the Mark of the Beast in the Bible, more specifically in Revelation 13:16-18:
“He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.”
Referring to the last days, this could only be speaking of a cashless society, which we have yet to see, but are heading towards. Otherwise, we could still buy or sell without the mark amongst others if physical money was still currency. This Mark couldn’t be spiritual because the word references two different physical locations. If it was spiritual it would just say in the forehead. RFID microchip implant technology will be the future of a one world cashless society containing digital currency. It will be implanted in the right-hand or the forehead, and we cannot buy or sell without it! We must grow strong in Jesus. AT ALL COSTS, DO NOT TAKE IT!
“Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name” (Revelation 14:9-11).
People have been saying the end is coming for many years, but we needed two key things. One, the Third Temple, and two, the technology for a cashless society to fulfill the prophecy of the Mark of the Beast.
Visit http://WWW.BIBLEFREEDOM.COM to see proof for these things and much more!
If you haven’t already, it is time to seek God with all your heart. Jesus loves you more than you could imagine. He wants to have a relationship with you and redeem you from your sins. Turn to Him and repent while there is still hope! God bless!
Hey, how’s it going?
I want to pass along some very important news that everyone needs to hear!
In December of 2017, Donald Trump made history by recognizing Jerusalem as the captial of Israel. Why is this big news? Because by this the Jewish people of Israel are now able to press forward in bringing about the Third Temple prophesied in the Bible.
Jewish Rabbis have publicly announced that their Messiah will be revealed in the coming years who will be a leader and spiritual guide to all nations, gathering all religions under the worship of one God. They deny Jesus as their Messiah, and the Bible tells us this Jewish Messiah will be the counterfiet that will bring about a false peace, and ultimatley the great tribulation.
They even printed a coin to raise money for the Temple with Donald Trumps face on the front and with king Cyrus'(who built the second Temple) behind him. On the back of the coin is an image of the third Temple.
More importantly, the power that runs the world wants to put a RFID microchip in our body making us total slaves to them. This chip matches perfectly with the Mark of the Beast in the Bible, more specifically in Revelation 13:16-18:
“He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.”
Referring to the last days, this could only be speaking of a cashless society, which we have yet to see, but are heading towards. Otherwise, we could still buy or sell without the mark amongst others if physical money was still currency. This Mark couldn’t be spiritual because the word references two different physical locations. If it was spiritual it would just say in the forehead. RFID microchip implant technology will be the future of a one world cashless society containing digital currency. It will be implanted in the right-hand or the forehead, and we cannot buy or sell without it! We must grow strong in Jesus. AT ALL COSTS, DO NOT TAKE IT!
“Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name” (Revelation 14:9-11).
People have been saying the end is coming for many years, but we needed two key things. One, the Third Temple, and two, the technology for a cashless society to fulfill the prophecy of the Mark of the Beast.
Visit http://WWW.BIBLEFREEDOM.COM to see proof for these things and much more!
If you haven’t already, it is time to seek God with all your heart. Jesus loves you more than you could imagine. He wants to have a relationship with you and redeem you from your sins. Turn to Him and repent while there is still hope! God bless!