Kandy’s grand colonial-era hotel, more than 160 years old, right by Kandy Lake and the Temple of the Tooth.
- Mid-range
Why we marked it
- Sri Lanka’s most important Buddhist temple
- Daily ceremonies with drummers
- Part of the UNESCO Sacred City of Kandy
- Beside Kandy Lake
The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Sri Dalada Maligawa, holds a relic of the Buddha’s tooth and is the most sacred Buddhist site in Sri Lanka. It sits within the old royal palace complex beside Kandy Lake, at the heart of the UNESCO-listed Sacred City of Kandy.
What to expect
Join the crowds of pilgrims carrying lotus flowers, hear the drummers during the daily ceremonies, and explore the shrine rooms and museums around the complex.
Good to know
- Cover your shoulders and knees, and remove shoes and hats; white clothing is traditional.
- Visit during the morning or evening ceremony for the full atmosphere.
- Sri Lankan citizens pay a much lower local rate; bring your NIC.
- It is busiest on poya days and weekends.
Where it is
Sri Dalada Veediya, Kandy, Sri Lanka
More spots in Kandy
All of KandyA hillside retreat in Heerasgala, above Kandy, known for misty mornings, sweeping views and warm service.
- Upscale
A 27-room hotel on Rajapihilla Mawatha with a rooftop pool and lake views, a short walk from Kandy Lake and Wales Park.
- Upscale