Kandy Things to Do Tips by jennifermueller

Dances of Sri Lanka

The performance at The Kandyan Art Associations Hall (Avanhala) was well worth the Rs. 300 (6 pm nightly).

However, this is not somewhere locals go. There are loads of vendors selling souveniers to the tourists, many whom are bused in in groups, but we didn't inquire to prices.

The refeshments are competatively priced and welcome since the hall is warm.

Address: Norh of the lake on Ampitiya Road

Sri Dalaga Maligawa, Kandy

The Sri Dalaga Maligawa, Temple of the Tooth, has housed the tooth relic since about the 17th century. The tooth relic, 4 canine teeth of buddha, were rescued from the funeral pyre and brought to Sri Lanka for safe keeping in the 4th century AD.

We visited the temple for the 6 am ceremony. You totally beat the crowds that way. We were there just pre-season but there were no lines at all.

Most visitors at 6am are worshipers so we did our best be unnoticeable - though there were a few using flash photography we opted for risking bad pictures to be respectful.

I've read different times for ceremonies in different publications so it's possible that the times are seasonal, so I suggest checking with your guest house.
Leave extra time if you go early in the morning. Our tuk tuk driver wasn't able to get very close to the temple before dawn due to the security road block. We had to pop out and walk the rest of the way.

Directions: The temple is just north of the lake at the corner of Temple Street and Palace Square (which I don't know in Sinhala). It's hard to miss.

Website: http://www.sridaladamaligawa.lk

Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya

The only other thing we managed to do in Kandy, besides wander around, was visit the Royal Botanical Gardens (Peradeniya - Rs 300 - splurge and buy a map too Rs 20).

The gardens cover 147 acres and contain over 4000 species.

While the gardens aren't as comprehensive as some in Europe and the US, they have a feeling all there own and, if you like that kind of thing, are worth the stop.

Directions: I think the gardens are on the Kandy road. Any driver will know.