Kandy

Kandy is one of the most scenic cities in Sri Lanka and lies in the midst of hills. It is the Capital of the Central Province. It is both an administrative and religious city. Kandy is the second largest city in the country and is frequently visited by Buddhists especially of the Theravada School.Kandy is very famous among tourist for three main reasons: It is home to the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha (Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic; Dalada Maligawa ), The Botanical Gardens ( Located in Peradeniya) and it always has a special place when it comes to festivities such as the Esala Perahara.

Tooth Relic

The Temple of the Tooth relic is the place that houses the Relic of the tooth of the Buddha. Originally part of the Royal Palace complex of the Kandyan Kingdom, it is one of the holiest places of worship and pilgrimage for Buddhist around the world. The Palace of the Tooth relic, the palace complex and the holy city of Kandy are associated with the history of the dissemination of Buddhism. The temple is the product of the last peregrination of the relic of the tooth of Buddha and the testimony of a religion which continues to be practiced today.
Parks and Gardens:The Royal Botanical Garden is the largest botanical garden in the whole island providing residence to over a large variety of plants, some even hundreds of years old.

Festivals
Kandy as stated earlier is also very popular due to the annual pageant known as the Esala Perahera, in which one of the inner caskets used for covering the tooth relic of Buddha is taken in a grand procession through the streets of the city. This casket is taken on a royal tusker. The procession includes traditional dancers and drummers, flag bearers of the provinces of the old Kandyan kingdom, the Nilames wearing their traditional dresses, torch bearers and also the grandly attired elephant. This ceremony which is annually held in the months of July or August attracts large crowds from all parts of the country and also many foreign tourists.

Kandy is must for anyone's itinerary when visiting Sri Lanka. It is considered one of the most beautiful places in Sri Lanka which at the same time show cases the Sri Lankan Culture at its highest level.

Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Tooth)

After the parinirvana of Gautama Buddha, the tooth relic was preserved in Kalinga and smuggled to the island by Princess Hemamali and her husband, Prince Dantha on the instructions of her father King Guhasiva.
 The Sacred Tooth Relic, which is the Buddha’s left canine was brought here during the reign of king Kithsiri Meghavanna (301-328 B.C.) by Prince Danta and Princess Hemamala from the Kingdom of Kalinga, India.

The temple is open from dawn to dusk. It houses a tooth relic of the Lord Buddha, and is consequently considered one of Sri Lanka's most holy shrines. Although you may not view the actual tooth itself, the casket within which it is said to be is displayed twice a day. The best time to view this ornate casket is around 6.30PM Make sure to cover up below the knees with pants and everything on the shoulders. There are plenty of people at the entrance that will hire you a shoal to cover for 150 to 200 LKR.
There is also a foreigner only shoe drop just before you enter the temple where they ask for a donation. there is a local shoe drop for free behind it so don't feel like you need to give a donation as you have already had to pay 1,000 LKR. Foreigner entrance: LKR1,000. The Pooja times are 6.30 AM, 9.30 AM and 6.30 PM. There are two sides to this – some prefer to see the Temple during a Pooja, a small ceremony of reverence involving drummers and dancers – there are more people during this time.

Bahirawa Kanda

Travel approximately 3 kms via Pushpadana Road in Kandy, in the ascending direction passing Pushpadana Balika Vidyalaya to reach Bahirawa Kanda.

The mountain is 650 feet above the Kandy town and this remarkable location is of special significance to Buddhists. An 88-foot standing Buddha statue is seen on its summit, facing the Dalada Maligawa. There is an abundance of stories in folklore about the name Bahirawa Kanda. A southward branch of the Sri Maha Bodhi was planted on this mountain summit, and a Ran Weta erected around it.

Dedicated since the olden times to a demon/deity known in folklore as ‘Bhairava,’ this has been a venue for animal sacrifices for protection from ‘evil influences’ according to superstitions, even to the extent of making the occasional human sacrifice. The last such ‘virgin’ sacrifice on the mountain was Welikala Menike, according to legends. The story, however, goes on to explain that she in fact was rescued by Lunuwila Nilame, her lover. The role of the demon Bhairava, according to the story, was personified by the King’s Chief Purohitha (counsellor). Once his true identity was revealed, the Yaaga (sacrifice ritual) was suspended forthwith and the Dynasty resolved to rectify their ways of governance.