Sacred City of Kandy
Sri Lanka ·
Description
Hidden in the central highlands and defended by mountains, Kandy was the last independent Sinhalese kingdom, holding out against European colonizers until 1815. At its heart stands the Temple of the Tooth, a gilded sanctuary housing a relic of the Buddha that has given its possessors sovereignty over the island for centuries. Each August, the ten-day Esala Perahera festival parades the relic on an elephant through torch-lit streets.
Why It's a World Heritage Site
UNESCO recognized Kandy as a sacred Buddhist site directly and tangibly associated with the possession of the Tooth Relic and with the living religious and cultural traditions of Theravada Buddhism.
UNESCO Criteria
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The relic is housed inside a series of nested caskets and never displayed. Visitors see the casket chamber during puja.
Three daily pujas (dawn, mid-morning, evening). The evening one is usually the most atmospheric.
A ten-day festival in July/August with elephant processions, dancers and drummers honoring the Tooth Relic. Book accommodation months ahead.
Famous scenic train ride from Colombo (3 hours) — book a reserved-seat ticket online.
Shoulders and knees covered, remove shoes and hats before entering the temple.