Kandy Information Centre

22/07/2024

"KIRIBATH" Milk Rice in English, a traditional food in Sri Lanka. You can eat spicy or sweet.... This is with " Lunumiris" Onion and Chillies....

08/06/2024

Historical Buildings in – Kandy
Queens Hotel
Queens Hotel’s history goes back to 160 years. Originally owned by Dullewe Adigar a chief of the Kandyan Kingdom. In the year, 1818 after handing over the Kandyan Kingdom to British rulers this Dullewa Wallawwa became the official residence of the British Governor John Doyle.
Once became barracks for the Malay rifles corps durig world war, called as “Malabar House”, Used as an Army Hospital too. An English businesswoman started a cafeteria and facilitate lodging for the British businessmen who visited Kandy in a part of the building. Later she sold the hotel to Elizabeth Piashaw she expanded to a bigger hotel and named as “ Pashaw Cottage”. Later to commemorate reign of Queen Victoria the name of the hotel changes to ‘Queens Hotel”. In 1895, Elizabeth sold the hotel to Kandy Hotel Company.
It’s nice to pay a visit to Queens Hotel when you are in Kandy.

Photo Credits : Prasad Alexander

06/06/2024

Looking for .......

01/06/2024

COLA Tree in Kandy.....
Cola Tree, scientifically known as Cola acuminata or Cola nitida, belongs to the Malvaceae family. It is native to the tropical rainforests of Africa, particularly in West Africa.
This evergreen tree is notable for its role in producing kola nuts. The Cola Tree can grow up to 12-20 meters (39-66 feet) in height. The leaves are glossy, leathery, and oblong with a pointed tip. They are typically 15-20 cm (6-8 inches) long. The flowers are small, yellow to white, and often have purple or red spots. They grow in clusters. The fruit is a star-shaped, leathery pod containing several kola nuts. Kola nuts are about the size of a chestnut, typically 2-3 cm (0.8-1.2 inches) in diameter, and can be red or white. They have a bitter taste when fresh but develop a sweeter taste as they dry. Kola nuts contain caffeine and used traditionally as a stimulant. They are chewed raw, used in traditional medicine, and were historically used in the original recipe for cola drinks.
If you have not seen a Cola, tree Visit Peradeniya Botanical Gardens when you are in Kandy and you will find few Cola Trees there.

21/05/2024

Kandy Esala Perahara.

The Kandy Esala Perahera or The Sri Dalada Perahara of Kandy also known as the Festival of the Tooth, which falls in the month of Esala (Month of July) or in the month of August depending on how the full moon (Poya day) falls. Perahara in Sinhala language means procession and Esala Perahara is the procession-taking place in the month of August. There are few other Esala Perahars (processions) taking place in an around the country, out of these processions Kandy Esala Peraha is one of the main festivals in the Island as it pays respect to the Gautama Buddha’s Tooth Relic

Picture : from the internet

19/05/2024

19/05/2024

Travel around Sri Lanka with Soul of Lanka Tours

07/04/2024

Temple Visit around.
for more details contact us on +94778686365

10/03/2024

Katunayake/ Colombo to Kandy airport transfers.
Contact us for friendly and reliable service with experienced drivers.

10/03/2024

About The Sri Dalada Maligawa

The Most venerated temple in the Island of Sri Lanka for honouring the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha. The Sacred Tooth, which is Buddha has left canine brought to Sri Lanka during the reign of King Kithsiri Megawanna (301-328 B.C) by Prince Danta and Princes Hemamala from the Kingdom of Kalinga, India. Since then it was protected and kept inside a shrine in the royal palace and honoured as palladium of Kings. The possessor of the relic believed to have the right to rule the country. The relic was shifted wherever the kingdom shifted, from Anuradhapura to Polonnaruwa, Dambadeniya, Yapahuwa, Kurunegala, Kotte, Gampola and finally Kandy. After the signing of the Kandyan convention in 1815 to date the Tooth Relic was under the custodian of the chief monks of the Malwatte and Asgiriya chapters and Lay custodian is the Diyawadana Nilame (designated official).
Sri Dalada Maligawa (The Temple of the Tooth relic) which today houses the Tooth Relic is a world Heritage site and a large number of local and foreign visitors visit every day.

Visit Temple with a qualified Tour Guide. Contact us for more information +94778686365

26/09/2023

Sigiriya & Minneriya NP safari. Day TOUR from Kandy
07:30 am Pick up from Kandy accommodations and drive to Sigiriya.
08:30 am Stop at Nalanda Gedige
09:15 am drive to Sigiriya from Nalanda Gedige
10:30 am hike the Sigiriya rock fortress
12:30 pm Lunch & Refreshments at Haabarana
14:00 pm Proceed to Minneriya National Park ( in Jeep)
17:30 pm Leave Minneriya to Kandy
20:00 pm drop at Kandy accommodation

Price includes :
Transportation to Sigiriya and return to Kandy in an air conditioned car, English speaking driver, parking and road tolls.

Safari Jeep can be arranged by us.

Price excludes:
Entrance fees
Jeep charges
meals and other personal expenses.

Sedan Car LKR 25,000.00 ( US $ 80.00) / seating for 3 persons
Small Car LKR 22,500.00 ( US $ 70.00) / seating for 3 persons

07/09/2023

National parks around KANDY.
Minneriya National Park

05/09/2023

St. Sylvester's Collège YATINUWARA VEEDIYA. KANDY

St. Sylvester's College is a leading school boy's school in Kandy located adjoining St. Anthony's Cathedral in YATINUWARA VEEDIYA. Founded in 1st November 1940 by the Sylvestro Benedictene Congregation when the prestigious St. Anthony's College shifted to Katugastota. rev. Fr. Robert Perera was appointed as the first Principal during the time of Bishop Bernardo Regno a co founder of this school. The school commended with twelve teachers and 250 students at the beginning and at present there are 150 teacher staff and 3500 students.

Photo Credits to the Original owner / from Internet

27/08/2023

Day Tours from Kandy To SIGIRIYA
SIGIRIYA/ DAMBULLA Day Tour
Brief Description about SIGIRIYA
Sigiriya is one of the major archaeological sites in Asia nestled within the surrounding forests. A world heritage site. The history of Sigiriya spans a period from pre – historic times. As per literary sources and archaeological sources, Sigiriya was once a Buddhist monastery, since 3rd century BC King Kashyapa transformed this rock into a Rock fortress in the 5th century AD. Stunning views from the summit of Sigiriya is second to none.
You can explore this ancient site with or without a site guide, start exploring Sigiriya visiting the museum first and then Sigiriya site, if you think you want to hire a site guide we can help to get a good guide.

Special Note:
Please note there are many monkeys in Sigiriya and Dambulla. Please refrain from feeding them while you are exploring these sites, as monkeys will be a nuisance.

Day Plan:
Pick up from the Kandy accommodation and drive to Sigiriya ( Entrance fee $ 30 pp)
Drive to Dambulla on the way to the CIC farm for fresh fruit juice.
Explore Dambulla Vegetable market
Drive to Dambulla cave temple (Entrance fee Rs. 1500 pp)

Other activities and monuments to visit on the route (Optional / depending on time frame)

Nalanda Gedige
Aluvihara Cave Temple (Entrance fee 250 pp)
Muthumari Amman Hindu Temple (Entrance fee Rs 300)
Spice and Herbal gardens (Optional only on request)
Batik fabric workshop
Wood crafting workshop

PRICE
Small cars LKR. 20,000.00
Sedan cars LKR 23,000.00
Van LKR 28,000.00

Price includes
Air conditioned Vehicle / English Speaking driver / Fuel / Road tolls and parking / Insurance / 1 Litters of water

Important
You can contact us on your way for any complaints. Reach us on +94778686365

09/08/2023

Streets in Kandy:
YATINUWARA Veediya - Yatinuwara was an old administrative division in the Kandyan kingdom. This street is named after the historical region of Yatinuwara. Veediya means street in Sinhala language. This street was called as Yatinuwara Veediya in the past and even today. One of the busiest streets in Kandy.

09/08/2023

Streets of Kandy:
Yatinuwara Veediya / Dalada Veediya / Kotugodella Veediya / D S Senanayake Veddiya / Colombo Street / Kings Street / Hill Street / Kande Veediya........
Some more to come
Contact ; +94778686365 for more details about Kandy.

09/08/2023

Dalada Maligawa / Kandy Tooth Relic Temple
Opening Hours and Ritual Hours:
Opening Hours ( Daily ) 05:30 - 20:00 hours
Ritual / Thevawa Hours ( Daily)
Morning Thevawa 05:30 - 07:00
Midday Thevawa 09:30 - 11:00
Evening Thevawa 18:30 - 20:00 hours

for more details :
SEE Lanka Touring +94778686365

07/08/2023

Birdwatching or Birding is a scientific hobby. Bird watching will help to improve ones knowledge of the environment, birds behaviors, ecology and other areas. It helps to develop patience and self discipline. Sri Lanka is a paradise for bird watching.
SEE Lanka Touring
SRI LANKA
+94778686365

LITTLE GREEN BEE EATER / Merops Orientalis
20cm Chin and Throat blue. Elongated central tailfeathers.
Details from : " An Illustrated Guide to the Birds of Sri Lanka by Sarath Kotagama / Gamini Ratnavira

06/08/2023

Kandy Lake Round:
Kandy lake round is 3.2 km / 2 miles ( 4500 steps) a easy walk or run in the mornings or in the evenings are recommended. Afternoons are busy working crowd and school crowd passing through the lake.
Children's park, Kandyan art Association, Red Cross, Malwatte Temple , Hillwood College, Mahamaya College, Lakeside Adventist Hospital are some places located around the lake.

06/08/2023

Kandy Lake during Wesak Poya ( Full Moon). The Buddhist of Sri Lanka celebrate of the Buddha's Birth, Enlightenment and Death.

05/08/2023

Paththirippuwa - Tooth Relic Temple
a art piece of the Royal Palace architect Devendra Mulacharya done in 1802.Paththiruppuwa derives from Tamil language meaning bending and looking down. Said to be a place where the King spend his leisure time spent watching traditional wresting "Angampora" and other festivals, also listening to the grievances of the common masses.

31/07/2023

In the year 1867, The first passenger train from Colombo reached Kandy Railway Station (1/08/1867)and since the Kandy Railway Station is in operation. Few months before the arrival of the passenger train a goods service train completed a journey on the 30th April 1867. The Station building structure is both modernist and Victorian architecture.

17/07/2023

Travelling in a Tuk Tuk is one of the items of a tourists bucket list who plans to visit Sri Lanka, Yes this is fun if you go with the correct people or it can be the worst experience if not the correct person, why do we say:
https://lifeinlanka.com/tourist-traps-and-scams-in-sri-lanka/ #:~:text=If%20a%20Tuk%20Tuk%20driver,pressure%20you%20to%20buy%20something.
We have a list of registered Tuk Tuk drivers and their contacts and package prices

11/07/2023

Kandy City Map:
Await for more Information on Streets of KANDY.

Photo Credit : from the internet

11/07/2023

DULLEWE WALAWWA - ( Queens Hotel)
Once owned by a chief of the Kandyan Kingdom, Dullewa Adigar and knowns as " Dullewa Walawwa". Originally designed by Devendra Mulachariya on instructions from the King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe.
After the fall of the Kandyan Kingdom, It was adapted as a mansion for the Governor of Ceylon. Now a star class hotel with 80 rooms in operation.

11/07/2023

UDAWATTE -KELLE Forest Reserve
Udawatte kelle forest reserve was the Royal Family Pleasure garden in an extet of 257acres(104 hectares). During the Kandyan Kingdom this forest reserve was also known as "Udawasala Watte" means the garden above the royal palace, as it was prohibited to ordinary people this was also calles as " thahanchi kelle" meaning the forbidden forst. now it's open to all local and forign tourist from 6:00 am to 5:00 pm
if you are a nature lover it's a smooth walk around the forest while enjoying the giant trees, shrubs,wines , mamals and birds, Visit Udawaththa Kelle when you are in Kandy.

10/07/2023

Kandy Lake:
In the Centre of Kandy is a manmade lake presently known as Kandy Lake " Nuwara Wewa" in Sinhala language, then a pond named " Kiri Muhuda" ( Sea of Milk).
It is believed that the present lake was done by the Kings architect Devendra Mulacharaya in the year 1807 by King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe next to the temple of the Tooth Relic, now a protected lake with fishing prohibited.

10/07/2023

KANDY then " Senkadagalapura" was established as a city by the King Wickramabahu the 3rd (Gampola Era) during his reign from 1357 - 1374 AD.
Senasammatha Wickramabahu (belongs to Kotte Royal Bloodline) ascended the throne in the 15th Century(1473 - 1511) making " Senkadagalapura" ( Kandy) the new capital of the Kandyan Kingdom.Untill 19th century Kandy was the capital city and became the home of the Royal Palace and the temple of the Tooth Relic.