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Esala Perahera - Dalada Maligawa, Kandy, Sri Lanka
Legend has it that when Buddha was cremated in the 5th century BC, one of his followers took a tooth from the pyre. The holy canine was later smuggled to Sri Lanka, in the hair of an Orissan princess disguised as a Brahmin priest....
Legend has it that when Buddha was cremated in the 5th century BC, one of his followers took a tooth from the pyre. The holy canine was later smuggled to Sri Lanka, in the hair of an Orissan princess disguised as a Brahmin priest. King Megavanna was so happy to have the religious relic on his island that he had it paraded through the city for his subjects to marvel at.
Today’s Esala Perahera is as colourful as the story of its origins. The time-honoured elephant parade takes place in Kandy, the Sri Lankan centre of Buddhism. For more than 400 years, the city’s Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Tooth Relic) has housed the revered dentistry. A replica casket is used in the parades, but that doesn’t stop thousands of Buddhist pilgrims from breaking out their drums, whips and fire.
This spectacle can be seen, by torchlight, at the nightly elephant processions, which are actually formed of five separate parades. In the 18th century the South Indian Nyakar dynasty introduced a Hindu element to proceedings, and four of the parades start at temples dedicated to the religion’s principle deities: Vishnu, Natha, Kataragama and Pattini.
The Hindu parties spill into the main parade, where the Jumbo of honour is the mighty tusker from Dalada Maligawa, carrying the golden casket. All the elephants are dressed up to the nines, clad from trunk to toe in silk costumes, glittering thread and embroidered cloth, even chains of fairy lights.
Between the elephants, the religious participants perform all kinds of devotional acts to the booming drums. Some show their faith by walking barefoot or, in the case of the Hindus, with spikes in their backs. The procession is headed by banner carriers and whip-crackers, whose weapons clear the path of both evil spirits and the crush of humanity.
Kandy is the country’s main arts centre and the city’s performers add to the chaos. Acrobatic fire performers juggle, twirl and eat oily flames, their glow reflected by palanquins teetering on elephant back.
The most riotous parade happens on the last night. The following morning, preparations for next year are already under way at the ‘water cutting’ ceremony. A religious official draws a sword through the Mahaweli Ganga River, in a ritual designed to divide pure and impure and ensure a plentiful supply of water. Some water is kept and used in the next opening ceremony, when breadfruit trees are planted outside the temples.
Royal Botanical Gardens-Kandy SRI LANKA
Royal Botanical Gardens-Kandy...
Royal Botanical Gardens-Kandy
No visit to Kandy is complete without seeing the Royal Botanical gardens at Peradeniya, 6.5km south from the town, on the Colombo road. Its origins go back to the reign of King Kirti Sri Rajasinha (1747-80) when it was a royal residence and park. It formally became a botanical garden in 1821 when the redoubtable Edward Barnes was governor. The firs tea seedling garden in 1821 when the Ceylon were planted in the gardens at Barnes’ behest in 1824, although it was 50 years later that tea showed its potential as a viable commercial crop.
The gardens consist of nearly 150 acres dedicated to the flora of Sri Lanka with a spectacular arboretum that includes many endemic trees. There are over 110 endemic plants, as well as major collections of palms, bamboo, cacti, flowers and orchids in a delightful orchid house. There are more than 200,000 dried and preserved specimens in the Herbarium, collected during the 180 years the gardens have been in existence. There is also a biotechnology laboratory engaged in the mass propagation of ornamental, rare and endemic plants, a striking feature is the avenue of royal palms (Roystonea regia) begun in 1905. In the medicinal herb garden grow some of the herbs used in ayurveda medicine.
The entire area of the gardens is embraced by the Mahaweli River, curving around it like an elbow. Ata an altitude of 550m it has a mean temperature of around 20C. To avoid the heat of the day, the best time to visit the garden is between 08.30 and 10.00, or in the afternoon from 16.00.
Three other Main temples in kandy -Ambakke,Gadaladeniya,Lankathilaka
Ambakke temple
Situated 7 kilometers from the town of Pilimathalawa in Kandy district and surrounded by tea plantations and paddy fields, the historic Embekke Devalaya is an ancient shrine and a temple dedicated to lord Kataragama....
Ambakke temple
Situated 7 kilometers from the town of Pilimathalawa in Kandy district and surrounded by tea plantations and paddy fields, the historic Embekke Devalaya is an ancient shrine and a temple dedicated to lord Kataragama.
Build by king Vikramabahu the 3rd of Gampola (A.D 1357-1374) the shrine consists of three sections, the sanctum or the Garbha, the Digge or dancing hall and the Hevisimandapaya or the Drummers hall.
Embekke is world famous for wood carvings in the pillars of the drummer's hall which are considered to be some of the best exhibitions of ancient Sri Lankan craftsmanship.
Embekke is a national heritage site which attracts a large number of both local and foriegn tourists annually.
The annual perahhara pageant which features traditional dancers, drummers, and decorated elephants attract a lot of devotees and spectators and is presided by the Basnayaka Nilame who is the Patron of the Devalaya.
Embekke Devalaya, Kandy is a wooden temple situated in the Ambakka village, three kilometers from the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens. It was built in the 14th century by King Wickremabahu III. Adajacent to the main temple in the Embekke Devalaya, Kandy is a digge and inside the temple there is a courtyard where originally the hewisi were played. There are many legends which tell how the 'devale' or the 'devalaya' came into existence.
Gadaladeniya temple
Built almost exclusively of stone in 1344 by the Gampola King Wickramabahu, situated on a hilltop, commanding views of the surrounding countryside.
The architecture is Dravidian. The entrance porch features large stone pillars, which support a roof of huge stone slabs. Within the vihara, an ancient stone and plaster Buddha image looks down upon milk rice pots that have collected food offerings for centuries. The 638-year-Old jack wood doors still exhibit their original paintings.
Lankathilaka temple
Completed in 1344, but in a more traditional Sinhalese style.
Situated on a top of a gray rock above the fertile highland green, it justifies its name: "the beauty spot on Lanka's brow."
The shrine contains an ancient Buddha image of brick and plaster, plus devalas to the four guardian deities of the island, each with his consort. A Pali language rock inscription at the site records the valuable gifts to craftsmen who toiled on the temple. Woodcarvers still work at the foot of the rock on which the temple stands.
This is a magnificent building shining in white against the blue sky in the background. Being a brick building in three stories, it has a peculiar architectural design. Amidst the painted doors of wood and frescoes still bright with their original paint on walls and ceilings in the shrine room is found a superb seated image of the Buddha.
Top Kandy Tours
$50 Per Day
ONE DAY TREKKING TOURS
Option - 1 :
Knuckles Mountain Range - ( unesco world Heritage site. )
Marvelous view / Pigmy forest / Waterfalls
Option - 1 :
Knuckles Mountain Range - ( unesco world Heritage site. )
Marvelous view / Pigmy forest / Waterfalls
After breakfast ( 7.30 am ) proceed to knuckles mountain range, It is informed that while going to knuckles range. we have to pass through remote village. and it around 1800 m from the mean sea level. which is a amazing area comprise with pigmy forest fauna and flora. the science of several kinds endemic birds. monkey, porcupine, wild pole and civet cats etc. and also able to have glimpse of sambur deer, barking deer, and leopard. once in a blue moon and this will be a tour that will never forget one who attend same.
After visit returning to kandy
Total working around 14 km
morning leave about at 7.30 am.
Option - 2 :
Knuckles Mountain Range - ( unesco world Heritage site. )
Marvelous view / Pigmy forest / Waterfalls
After breakfast ( 7.30 am ) proceed to knuckles mountain range, Through the amazing tea plantations and pigmy forest it is possible to witness the science of sceneries over the forest area together with waterfalls and those working under forest canopy, with a panoramic view. several kind of endemic birds, beard monkey, porcupine, wild pole and civet cats etc.
After visit returning to kandy,
Total working around 08 km
morning leave about at 7.30 am.
Option - 3 :
Bible rock
Rice land / beautiful sceneries / Remote village
A popular destinations for the adventure-seeking traveler is the bible rock. also known as the batalegala mountain. in the midst of marvelous views of craggy, densely wooded hills. it is the prominent flat topped bible rock which acquired it's pious name thanks to dutiful local victorians on account of it's resemblance to a lectern. A 798 meters high rock offer a sheer face for those who seek to scale challenging surfaces. moreover, is an ecologically important area in the central hills.
After visit returning to kandy
Total working around 8 km
morning leave about at 8.30 am.
Option - 4 :
Alagalla rock
Vegetable cultivation / Beautiful sceneries
After breakfast ( 8.30 am ) proceed to alagalla rock, The alagalla rock is a steep mountain located near the ihala kotte railway stations, it makes the entrance of the rail way to be up country. a train tunnel has been bored 300 feet, through the solid rock of the alagalla the mountain offers a variety of summit. which offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding area.
After visit returning to kandy
Total working around 8 km.
morning leave about at 8.30 am.
Option - 5:
Ritigala
Architecture / Monastic ruins / CAVE'S
After breakfast ( 7.30 am ) proceed to ritigala, This has been called as arittha pabbatha (the mountain of aritta) which can be translate as "dreadful rock" or "safty rock" or even riti trees growing upon it around 3 rd century B.C. aritta, who was the chef minister of king dewanampiyatissa who later was ordained as the fist sri lankan monk and become an arahath spend his monastic life at ritigala there are many monastic ruins of stones, terrace way a stone brige and remain of a giant stone banked pond build across a water strem.
Returning from ritigala to kandy visiting to see the dambulla cave's temple,Dambulla Cave's Temple
Dambulla cave temple also know as the golden temple of dambulla is a world heritage site declared by since 1991. King walagamba return to the throne at Anuradahapura kingdom in the 1 st centure B.C. he had a magnificent rock temple built at dambulla, in gratitude to the monk in dambulla , it is the largest and best preserved temple a most impressive place of sri lanka, the rock 160 m over the surrounding plains , more than 85 caves in the surrounding area. major attractions are spread over 5 cave's.
After visit returning to kandy,
Total working around 15 km.
morning leave about at 7.30 am.
Option - 6:
Pidurangala Rock
Ancient forest monastery / Beautiful scenerice / Opposite sigiriya
After breakfast ( 7.30 am ) proceed to pidurangala rock, History of pidurangala flows beyond the 1 & 2 century from those days. but this place becomes a prominent buddhist monastery during the king kashyapa time ( 477 - 495 AD )
some believe that sigiriya also a buddhist monastery before the king kashyapa time once he decided to build his fortress in sigiriya. he requested the monk to move to pidurangala. and had contributed lot of the development of it. it is believed that the ' uppalawanna kashyapa giri viharaya ' which was constructed by king kashyapa was located in the pidurangala.
Returning from pidurandala to kandy visiting to see the dambulla cave'temple, Dambulla cave's Temple
Dambulla cave temple also know as the golden temple of dambulla is a world heritage site declared by since 1991. King walagamba return to the throne at Anuradahapura kingdom in the 1 st centure B.C. he had a magnificent rock temple built at dambulla, in gratitude to the monk in dambulla , it is the largest and best preserved temple a most impressive place of sri lanka, the rock 160 m over the surrounding plains , more than 85 caves in the surrounding area. major attractions are spread over 5 cave's.
After visit returning to kandy,
Total working around 10 km.
morning leave about at 7.30 am.
$450 Per Day
Miracle Sri Lanka (6 Nights & 7 Days)
Day 01: Airport - Pinnawala - Kandy (112 Kms/3 Hrs)
...Read moreDay 01: Airport - Pinnawala - Kandy (112 Kms/3 Hrs)
Welcome to Sri Lanka. On arrival at the airport our representative heartily greets you and transfers you from airport to Kandy via Pinnawala. Pinnawela is an important tourist attraction in Sri Lanka where abandoned, injured and abused elephants are taken care of with dedication and love. Today here you can see the jumbos moving in the spacious elephant orphanage. Today it is an important tourism attraction in Sri Lanka with a foot fall of not just tourists, but researchers and scientists from across the globe are seen here. After a wonderful time with the elephants we move to Kandy the cultural capital of Sri Lanka. Overnight stay will be at the hotel in Kandy.
Day 02: Kandy - Peradeniya - Kandy
Enjoy the morning breakfast at leisure. Later we drive on wheel to Peradeniya from Kandy. Peradeniya is an exotic garden built by the Sinhala King. Today it is the national wealth and the garden has great collection of exotic plants, blossoming flowers and herbarium are grown. Later drive to Kandy the last capital of the Sri Lankan Kings and today it is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Kandy holds the cultural beauty and the traditions and folklore are still lovingly kept alive. Visit to the picturesque Kandy Lake built by the last Sinhala King, Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe in 1798. Also visit to Kandy Town and bazaar and enjoy shopping, a gem museum and the art and crafts centre.
Day 03: Kandy - Plantation - Nuwara Eliya (77kms/3 Hrs)
Enjoy heartfelt breakfast at the hotel in Kandy and later visit to the tea plantation and the tea factory to see the processes of manufacturing tea and how the best tea leaves are produced. See all the process how tea is graded, produced and packed. Also enjoy stimulating hot tea made from the world best Ceylon tea in the factory. Later we transfer to Nuwara Eliya the picturesque hill resort in Sri Lanka. Located at an altitude of 1980 metres, Nuwara Eliya is the heart of tea country and produces the best tea leaves in the world. Pidurtalagala the highest?s mountain and the 18 holes golf course in Asia are also located here in Kandy. After a memorable day tour enjoy a cozy overnight stat at the hotel in Nuwara Eliya.
Day 04: Nuwara Eliya - Tissamaharama - Yala - Kataragama (120 Kms/3 Hrs)
Have a heartfelt breakfast at the hotel and later we drive you from Nuwara Eliya to Yala via Tissamaharama. Yala is one of the finest national park in Sri Lanka and a premier eco-tourism destination. Make a safari in this largest national park of Sri Lanka and see the wild beast in their natural home. Yala is home to varied species of wild animals like leopard, deers, crocodiles, bears, wild buffaloes, wild boars, wild elephants, porcupines and spotted deers. Also see varied species of birds that include migratory and indigenous birds and commonly found birds in this national park. Later we transfer from Yala to Katatra Gama and later enjoy overnight stay at the Katatra Gama.
Day 05: Kataragama - Galle - Kalutara (125 Kms/3 Hrs)
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel in Katara Gama and later from there we drive you on wheel to Galle. Galle showcases the best example of European architectural styles and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here stroll around the Galle Fort spreaded on an area of 90 acres which still preserves the essence of the Dutch charm. Later transfer from Galle to Bentota/Ahungalla. Overnight stay will be at the hotel in Bentota / Ahungalla.
Day 06: Bentota - Colombo (64 Kms/2 Hrs)
After a heartfelt breakfast the hotel in Bentota/Ahungalla, we transfer you to Colombo, the capital city of Sri Lanka. Enjoy the city tour of Colombo and visit to some of the oldest building in the city and the modern skyscrapers changing the look of Colombo. Also visit to the 100 years old clock tower, colonial building, Hindu and Buddhist temple and Bandaranakike Memorial International Conference Hall. Later enjoy shopping in the Pettah Bazaar and take home some specialties of Sri Lanka and Colombo. After a glorious day tour, enjoy cozy overnight stay at the hotel in Colombo.
Day 07: Colombo - Airport (40 Kms/1hr)
Enjoy the morning breakfast at leisure. Relax for some time and later we transfer your from Colombo to Airport to board flight for way back home or onwards journey. In this way your memorable tour to Sri Lanka comes to an end.
$250 Per Day
Sri Lanka Mini Tour
DAY ONE
...Read moreDAY ONE
Arrival and meet the Chauffeur at Bandaranaike International Airport - Colombo. Transfer to Kandy. On your way visit Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. Check in at Hotel and Relax a while. Visit Temple of the Tooth Relic and take a city ride in the evening.
Overnight stay in Kandy.
Overnight stay in Kandy.
DAY TWO
Transfer from Kandy to Bentota.
On your way visit Madu River and Moonstone mines. Relax in the evening.
Overnight stay in Bentota.
On your way visit Madu River and Moonstone mines. Relax in the evening.
Overnight stay in Bentota.
DAY THREE
After Breakfast check out and visit Hikkaduwa, Galle Fort and other famous attractions around Galle. Transfer to Colombo and visit shopping complexes in Colombo.
Overnight stay in Colombo.
Overnight stay in Colombo.
DAY FOUR
Departure from Bandaranaike International Airport - Colombo.
PACKAGE INCLUSIONS
- Meet & Greet service at the airport upon arrival.
- Dedicated luxury vehicle for sightseeing, including airport pick up & drop off.
- Tourist board registered Chauffeur service.
- Comfortable accommodation in 3 star hotels.
- Complimentary Dinner & Breakfast at hotels.
- Highway tolls where applicable.
- Air fare.
- Lunch in Hotel or outside restaurants.
- Camera and video permits.
- Entry fees for sites and services at sightseeing events. (boat ride, safari charges etc;)
- Tips & Gratuities for drivers.
- Any other expenses not mentioned in Package Inclusions.