Things to Do in Kandy

Tucked into Kandy’s historical Royal Palace complex, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is one of Sri Lanka’s top attractions. The 18th-century Buddhist temple, part of what was once Kandy’s royal court, is revered for housing a tooth reputed to have belonged to Buddha himself, with pilgrims and tourists flocking to it as a result.

Running west of Kandy, the Alagalla Mountain Range is located deep in Sri Lanka’s heartland. At its northern end is Alagalla Mountain, a 3,740-foot (1,140-meter) peak that draws hikers eager to stand on its summit, the potato-shaped rock that gives it the nickname Potato Mountain and commands magnificent panoramic views.

One of four devales (temples) in Kandy’s Royal Palace compound, the Buddhist Natha Devale stands at the front of the royal complex. Associated with the palace’s Temple of the Tooth and believed to be Kandy’s oldest temple, this 14th-century shrine was built by King Vikramabahu III and attracts both Buddhist and Hindu followers.

Located within the grounds of Kandy’s Royal Palace, the Maha Vishnu Temple (Maha Vishnu Devalaya) is one of four holy devales (temples) linked to the palace’s Temple of the Tooth. This small complex is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu, a Sri Lankan deity who is also considered the guardian of Buddhism, so it draws both Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims.

The one-of-a-kind World Buddhist Museum, also known as the International Buddhist Museum, showcases the growth and history of Buddhism across all of Asia. Travelers who journey through the galleries, exhibit halls and displays will find artifacts, art work,

and other items that tell the story of how the culture and religion expanded from east to west.

Visitors are asked to follow a specific path that winds through models of sacred buildings, photographs and a number of Buddhist artifacts. Whether travelers are well-versed in the religion or new to the scene entirely, guests agree that most anyone will leave the World Buddhist Museum with a deeper understanding of the tradition and the beliefs associated with this global religion.