The Majesty and Splendour of Kandy

Beverley Jansz

Kandy, the Hill Capital of Sri Lanka, nestling among the misty hills in the central region of this paradise island is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It was here that once the Sinhala kings ruled majestically.

The city of Kandy lies at an altitude of 488.6 metres (1629 feet) above sea level in the centre of the island and surrounded by the ranges of mountains. It is still very much a focal point of Sri Lankan culture. It was the capital of the last generation of Sri Lanka`s kings until it fell into the hands of the British in 1815.

Kandy was originally known as Senkadagala pura after a hermit named Senkada who lived there. Many of the Sinhalese people call it 'Mahanuwara' meaning the "Great City". But the name Kandy was derived from the Word Kanda, which means mountain. Due to its geographical location Kandy was not an easy target for the foreign invaders who could gain control of the coastal area of the island.

Next to Colombo, it is also the most visited city in Sri Lanka. As the shrine holding the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha is placed in the heart of the city, it is also the most venerated city in Sri Lanka.

Because of the history, pageantry and veneration associated with this exquisite city, Kandy is classed as a World Heritage City by UNESCO. Kandy is a reflection of the variety, harmony and diversity of the people and cultures that make Sri Lanka a great nation. It was once the capital of the Kandyan kingdom, the last bastion of resistance to the colonial domination of the nation.

This last seat of the Sinhalese kings, who ceded power to the British in 1815 after many a battle with the western colonial forces, still retains much of the old charm and tradition of the truly Sri Lankan lifestyle.

Among the most picturesque cities in the island, the importance of Kandy is mainly due to it being the home of the Dalada Maligawa or Temple of the Tooth - which houses the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha. Here visitors can observe the ancient traditions of drumming and sacred chanting in honour of the Tooth Relic, being performed several times, each day.

Kandy is also the venue of the Esala Perahera, the most colourful pageant of Asia, held in July/August each year, in honour of the Tooth Relic. As the pageantry of the Esala Perahera unfolds through 10 nights each year, the city takes on the air of a torch-lit dreamland, complete with a hundred or more colourfully caparisoned elephants, drummers, dancers, and chieftains in the rare colourful trappings of the old kingdom.

The city is a monastic centre of Buddhism with the two biggest monasteries - the Malwatte and Asgiriya temples located here. Around the city are several other Buddhist temples with special attractions for the visitor looking for the cultural traditions of Sri Lanka.

The rock temple at Degaldoruwa, has beautiful Buddhist frescoes of the 17th century, while the Lankatilleke and Gadaladeniya temples are unique examples of the Buddhist construction in brick and stone during the same period. The shrine to a Hindu deity at Embekke is the best example of the wood carvings of the Kandyan period. Another temple well-known for its frescoes is the one at Ranawana.

The numerous smaller temples that dot the Kandyan landscape are places of unusual calm and peace, where one could still discover the close link between the temple and the village, which was the mainstay of the Sinhalese social organization.

The Kandyan areas are where the crafts of the Sinhalese have been kept alive. From the art of mat weaving at Dumbara, to the silver craftsmen of Nattaranpotha, and wood carvers of Embekke, the Kandyan craftsmen produce the exquisite material which makes up the most sought after souvenirs of Sri Lanka.

Your progress through the winding streets of Kandy could often be obstructed by a tame elephant, carrying its load of palm leaves for the daily lunch, or an elephant stopping at the wayside tea kiosk for a bunch of bananas. The Elephant Bath, at the Mahaweli River near Katugastota is where the many domesticated elephants of Kandy come for their daily bath, a must to keep the elephants happy. The elephants are very friendly indeed,

The best known attraction of the Gardens is the Orchid House, which house more than 300 varieties of exquisite orchids from the rare indigenous Foxtail and Vesak orchids, to many natural and hybrid species which have made this one of the best known orchid centres of the world.

A spice garden gives you a first hand introduction to the trees, plants and creepers that produce the special spices of Sri Lanka. After the Temple of the Tooth, the most famous landmark of Kandy is its lake, in the centre of the city. The old building at its edge near the Temple of the Tooth was the Queen's Bath.

On the other side of the Temple of the Tooth, housed in part of former royal palace, is the Kandy Museum which houses excellent exhibits from the Kandyan period of Sri Lanka's history. The Kandy Market is a great bazaar full of the sounds of exciting trade and bargaining. The stalls are full to overflowing with fresh vegetables, spices and fruits.

***

Queen's Hotel

Queeen's Hotel, Kandy was built over 160 years ago by the British. Today, the hotel is considered a historic monument to be conserved and held for all time as a part of the history of Sri Lanka's Central Province.

Queen's Hotel stands but a stone's throw away from the sacred precincts of the world renowned "Temple of Tooth Relic of the Buddha."

Queen's was originally a Governor's mansion with a number of small buildings constructed to house the British troops. This was later to become the main complex and of the Ceylon Riffle Regiment. Today, the hotel, run by the Ceylon Hotels Corporation (CHC), is one of Kandy's prime properties set on an extent of 217.5 perches of land. One of the finest and grandest architectural buildings of its kind in Kandy, the hotel boasts of 54 spacious luxury guest rooms, of which 28 are air conditioned.

General Manager, Queens Hotel, Kumar Thambyah, a well experienced hotelier, says with periodical refurbishments, the hotel can boast of a modern touch retaining the colonial flavour.

All rooms at Queen's face the gorgeous Kandy Lake with the Temple of the Tooth, overlooking the hotel's beautiful swimming pool and the famous Bahirwakanda scenic mountains. Queen's Hotel can be contacted on E-mail [email protected] Web www.ccom.lk/suisse.