Bahirawakanda Temple in Kandy

Bahirawakanda Temple in Kandy

Bahirawakanda Temple, or “Sri Maha Bodhi Viharaya”, is a Theravada Buddhist temple in the Kandy city of Sri Lanka. It is a famous tourist attraction in the city. Most tour operators include this location in their Kandy city tour.The giant Buddha statue is the specialty of this temple. You can observe it from anywhere in the city.

The height of the Buddhist statue is around 25m, which is considered as one of the tallest statues in Sri Lanka. It represents the nirvana pose of the Lord Buddha. as well as the position associated with his first enlightenment. Somebody called that position “Dyana Mudra’ or “Nirvana Pose” as well.

Bahirawakanda Mountain and its surroundings have some popular folklore and beliefs. The ‘Bahirawakanda Mountain’ means’ Gnome Mountain’. Those locals believe it has derived its name from those hills. This is not an ancient Buddhist temple with a long history. The initial development of the temple began in 1972 and was contributed by Ven. Ampitiya Dharmarama Thero. Laterally, the temple was opened for worship in January 1993.

Guests are allowed to worship at the Bahirawakanda temple. You can light the oil lamps with offerings of flowers. But you need to remove hats and shoes when entering the temple. After the worship, you find the stairs behind the white statue to climb higher. This will allow you to get a marvelous picture of the surroundings.

Most of them believe the view of the Bahirawakanda Temple is more fantastic in the evening or night. Anyhow, you can clearly observe the Temple of the Tooth Relic, Kandy Lake, Udawattakale Sanctuary, Playgrounds and some streets of the city. If you can bring a camera, that will give you some memorable photographs in this location.

It is not difficult to reach to the Bahirawakanda Temple and its largest statue. Distance from the Temple of the Tooth Relic is around 2km. You can easily find the location by browsing the google maps. Finally, we have to say that is, you should definitely add this place to your list of best places to visit in Kandy.     

 

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(Featured Image Credit: Fineway from Pinterest)          

Kandy Procession in Sri Lanka

Kandy Procession

Kandy Procession is one of the best-celebrated events in Sri Lanka. The event takes place in Kandy, Sri Lanka. Kandy, by default, is one of the most beautiful cities in Sri Lanka and also one of the top-notch spots for tourists. Most of the tourists who visit Sri Lanka make sure Kandy is on their itinerary. There is so much natural beauty in Kandy, and this procession adds more beauty and value. This tiny island is always full of celebrations and festivities. We love a good break from our monotonous work life. Therefore, come and see this majestic event in Kandy!

full of color and entertainment.

The entire event is full of lights, decorations, music, and dancing. The Kandy Procession, being a cultural and religious event, gets a lot of importance from its devotees and countrymen. This procession comprises a lot of dancing and whip cracking and is a sight to see as one set of dancers is followed by the next. They are full of color, entertainment, and cheer. Traditional dances are a must in the procession because Sri Lankans generally have a set of traditional dancers and traditional drummers for every auspicious occasion. The Kandy Procession lasts for more than two weeks as it has many sub-processions that take place.

The order of the pageant in the Kandy procession

The entire event of the Kandy procession goes on for weeks, starting from planting a jackfruit tree, wishing blessings upon the country, to a ‘water cutting’ ceremony in the longest river in Sri Lanka, Mahaweli. The whole process is full of dancing, music, drumming, whipping, swaying of flags, and carrying of the sacred casket by the anointed tusker, who is decorated in beautiful attire. The reason behind it is to pay respect to the relic of Buddha and is one of the most devotional celebrations of the culture. The whole two weeks are crowded with devotees, spectators, and tourists. 

Come, it is a wonderful sight to behold!

This pageant is a world-famous event that takes place once a year, and people from all around the world come to see its beauty. A lot of preparation and dedication go towards the procession. For those of you who love seeing different cultures and experiencing diversity, the Kandy Procession will give you a thrill and surpass your expectations.

There are many kinds of tourists: those who love nature; those who love adventure; those who love food; those who love the ocean; and those that enjoy culture. Sri Lanka is a place for every kind of tourist because we have them all! A lot of travelers who come in the months of July and August make sure to participate in the event because it is such a wondrous occasion. If you visit Sri Lanka during these months, make sure to head to Kandy to see the most celebrated event in the city. The Kandy procession is a must-see when you come to Sri Lanka. You will see them in their best costumes, dancing to their best tunes, and whipping their way through, cheerfully yet devotedly. You will be given an experience to cherish all your life.

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Temple of the Tooth Relic

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(Kandy Esala Perahera Image Source: PRABHATH WIMALASIRI from Twitter)

Temple of the Tooth Relic

Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy

Introduction to the Temple of the Tooth Relic

When you think of visiting a rich culture, Sri Lanka always pops into your head. A lot of tourists visit Sri Lanka because of its rich culture and history. This tiny island has so much history, with tales of kings, kingdoms, and temples. One of the most admired places in the whole world is the Temple of the Tooth Relic. In Sinhalese, it is called “Sri Dalanda Maligawa.” It has significant connections to the history of our country.

When you visit Sri Lanka, Put this on top of your must-see list because it is indeed a must-see. Our excellent guides will take you through the temple complex to give you a clear idea of the historical value of the place. Come ready to receive an experience of a lifetime with us in this beautiful place. You will be given a guide who is thorough with local knowledge. If you require language specific guides, they can be provided as well.

The history and architecture of the temple

The importance of this temple is that it accommodates the sacred tooth relic of Buddha. The temple is situated in Kandy, where the royal palace was, during the reign of the Kandyan Kingdom. The tooth relic was preserved and protected in India and was brought to Sri Lanka by Princess Hemamali and her husband, Prince Dantha.

The entrance of the temple has one of the main architectural symbols in the Kandyan Kingdom. It is called a Sandakada Pahana (Moonstone). It has the shape of a half-circle with many carvings that symbolize prosperity, peace, culture, and other religious figures. This is placed at the entrance below the staircase. The main gate is called ‘Mahawahalkada’ and it was once completely destroyed. But afterwards, it was renovated, along with its symbols and figures, that are similar to the original.

The Tooth Relic

The Tooth Relic is safely kept in a chamber called ‘Handun Kunama.” It is protected by seven caskets which are engraved with precious stones and gems. One of these caskets is used in the pageant, which happens once a year. These caskets have the shape of a‘stupa.’

Why is this temple important?!

Sri Lanka was originally a Buddhist country. Hence, the Temple of the Tooth Relic is utterly treasured and protected by the community. First of all, it is situated in one of the main cities in Sri Lanka. It was built in the times of the Kandyan Kingdom, and to this date, the temple has not lost its importance. It houses the sacred tooth relic of Buddha. Devotees from all over the island come to worship at this temple because they believe it to be a sacred and holy place.

Pay a visit to one of the important religious spots in the country

Come and enjoy a matchless evening in the Temple of the Tooth Relic premises. See the devotees worship in reverence and honor towards their belief. It is indeed a sight to behold

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(Cover Image Source: @fake_or_real_ from Instagram)

Pettigala Mountain Hike in Kandy

Pettigala Mountain Hike in Kandy

Pettigala Mountain is a famous travel destination around Kandy City. It has been widely popular among local and international travelers recently. This single little mountain is situated in the Teldeniya area, about 20km away from Kandy. The beautiful view of the Victoria Reservoir and the amazing panoramic view have attracted many tourists here.

Pettigala Mountain consists of 760m of elevation from sea level. You first need to come to Digana town, which is 15km away from Kandy. Then you need to follow the Senarathwela-Digana road to reach the final location. That will all take one hour from Kandy City. Before reaching the mountain, you will enter the Bamabaragala Temple.

Bambaragala Temple is a culturally and historically valuable place in the Kandy area. History says that the area consists of 79 caves. These caves were built in 2-3 centuries A.C. Bambaragala Old Temple was modified in the 18th century by King Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe. You can see some old paintings in this old temple. But you will not be allowed to take photographs of them.

The footpath to Pettigala Mountain starts from the Bambaragala Old Temple. The trek is not very hard and it’s through a forest with moderate difficulty. Some parts are much more difficult to cross because of their steep slopes. You will pass two caves during the trek; they are called “Situwam Lena’ and ‘Indrasala Guhawa’. One hour of trekking will carry you to the summit of Pettigala Mountain.

The top of the mountain consists of manabushes and big stones. There is no water source at the top. You have a large area to walk in and that will give you a few viewpoints. These viewpoints will provide different views of the surrounded areas. The large stone that is situated at the edge of the mountain is actually called “Pettigala’. It’s the best viewpoint of the mountain. You can sit there and watch a clear picture of Victoria Reservior. As well, you can see some prominent peaks of the Knuckles Massif.

The view from the top is absolutely amazing and beautiful. From here, you can observe a lot of areas of the Kandy district. Evenings are the best time to visit Pettigala Mountain, and that will generate some amazing photographs of the sunset.

(Cover Photo Credit: SL Traveler )

Hunas Falls Waterfall in Matale

Hunas Falls Waterfall in Matale

Hunas Falls Waterfall is a beautiful waterfall that is situated in the Matale District of Sri Lanka. This is a nice place to visit if you are seeking the best places in both the Matale and Kandy areas. The distance to the waterfall from Kandy City is 25km. But the distance from Matale City is 21km.

Hunnasgiriya Mountain is a prominent peak in the Knuckles Mountain Range. Situating at the bottom part of the mountain, the waterfall has got this name. Elkaduwa is the nearest town to the waterfall. The route from Elkaduwa to Hunas Falls is dotted with a lot of spice plants. The entire area is very calm and beautiful.

You can use Google Maps to find the location. There is a parking facility available to stop your vehicle. Then you need to buy a ticket to enter the waterfall. The place and its surrounding tea gardens are managed by Elakduwa Plantation Company.

Hunas Falls Waterfall is not a natural waterfall. It is a recently constructed artificial waterfall. Height of the waterfall is 48m. This consists of two parts, and travelers can reach it near the waterfall. The place is safe for anyone to travel to. You can see a small bridge between those two parts. The picture of the waterfall is really amazing in the mornings and afternoons. Please don’t forget to bring a camera.

There is a park at the bottom of the waterfall. You can wait and rest in the summer huts that are placed in the park. After watching the waterfall, you can visit the upper parts of the Hunnasgiriya Mountain. But you need to get permission to go there.

Hunnas Falls Waterfall is a nice place to travel with your family. Here are some of the places to visit in the Matale area:

  • Sembuwaththa Lake
  • Riverston Mountain
  • Kalebokka Division
  • Sera Ella

 

(Featured image source: Thaproban and credit should goes to the original owner)