City guide · මහනුවර Kandy
Kandy
The last capital of the Sinhalese kings: the Temple of the Tooth and Kandy Lake
Kandy lies in the hills of central Sri Lanka and was the last capital of the Sinhalese kings. The Temple of the Tooth by the lake holds a tooth relic of the Buddha, and the Esala Perahera every July–August is the country's greatest religious festival. Sigiriya is just over two hours' drive to the north.
History
Los orígenes de la ciudad
Kandy's traditional name is Senkadagala. In 1469 Senasammata Vikramabahu founded a semi-independent kingdom here; for more than 300 years the Kingdom of Kandy resisted the Portuguese and the Dutch, and it was the last independent kingdom of the Sinhalese monarchy. Britain took over the coastal areas from the Dutch in 1796, launched the First Kandyan War in 1803 and finally annexed the kingdom through the Kandyan Convention of 1815. The tooth relic kept at the Temple of the Tooth has long been seen as a symbol of royal authority. In 1988 the Sacred City of Kandy became a World Heritage Site.
- 1469The Kingdom of Kandy was founded
- 1803First Kandyan War
- 1815The Kandyan Convention; the kingdom came under British rule
- 1988The Sacred City of Kandy became a World Heritage Site
Stories
Historias de la ciudad
Historia · Sigiriya (Lion Rock)
A parricide's city in the sky
According to Sri Lanka's ancient chronicle, the Cūḷavaṃsa, in 477 Kashyapa, a son of King Dhatusena by a non-royal consort, seized the throne in a coup with the help of the army commander. Fearing revenge from his half-brother Moggallana, he moved the capital from Anuradhapura to the top of this huge rock, building a palace and fortifications there. In 495 Moggallana did return with an army; Kashyapa was abandoned by his troops on the battlefield and took his own life with his sword. Moggallana moved the capital back to Anuradhapura and turned Sigiriya into a Buddhist monastery.
Local life
Gastronomía y vida cotidiana
Before you go
Normas que debe conocer en Kandy
Sri Lanka: don't pose with your back to a Buddha statue
- Respect Buddha statues and religious objects
- Standing with your back to a Buddha statue for a photo
- Making offensive remarks about religion
Disrespecting Buddha images is a serious offence and can lead to arrest; people with visible Buddha tattoos may be refused entry or deported.
Verificado el 19 oct 2026Fuente: GOV.UK: Sri Lanka travel advice
Sri Lanka: cover legs and shoulders and remove shoes and hats at Buddhist temples
- Cover your legs and shoulders, and take off your shoes and hat before entering a shrine
- Nude or topless sunbathing
At Buddhist temples you must cover your legs and shoulders and remove shoes and hats, or you will offend worshippers; nude or topless sunbathing is not allowed.
Verificado el 19 oct 2026Fuente: GOV.UK: Sri Lanka travel advice