Kandy is blessed not only with the sacred Temple of the Tooth, but also with name, Kandy, so sweet it is irresistible. It is the one place on the itinerary of every visitor, and it doesn't disappoint. Its location, the temple, the ambience, the royal history, the lake - everything about the town is delightful. It is a pleasant town to amble through, since Kandy is easy to visit by train, even for just a day trip from Colombo. Our expert chauffer driver will take you to the best highlights in Kandy and wait patiently until you complete all. Have a walk along the lakeside. Here you will meet people in a more leisurely mood than those in Colombo. A school of young monks in bright saffron robes might file religiously past while you gaze at the golden roof of the temple complex. A gaggle of piggling girls try to suppress their amusement at the sight of curious tourists. Vendors sit quietly by the pavement hopefully offering balloons and sunglasses to anyone who looks their way. At your feet the bathroom scales belong to a man holding a placard which says, in English, that he will measure your weight for a few rupees.

HISTORY

Kandy was founded by king Vikrama Bahu, who ruled his part of the country from Gampola during 1474-1511. Legend attributes many reasons for him choosing to move his capital to what was first called Senkadagala . The region formed a sub kingdom known as Kanda - uda - pas - rata (the five ratas, or districts on the hills) or the ada – rata (hill district). It became known by Europeans as Kanda and, thus, Kandy. The Sinhalese called it Maha Nuwara (the big town).

In 1592, the sacred tooth relic (that had arrived in the island in AD331) was brought to Kandy. Its presence confirmed Kandy as the capital, despite the presence of the Portuguese on the littoral. By 1658, when the Portuguese were ousted by the Dutch, the kingdom was able to coexist, albeit uneasily, with the new occupiers. The British, however, wanted the island in its entirety and conquered Kandy in 1815.The king , Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe ( 1798-1815 ) , was exiled.