Temples in Kandy

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The pilgrimage centre of the country, in one walkable area

Kandy's temples cluster around the lake, with the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic at the centre and four devales beside it. Almost all of it is walkable.

Here is the list of 6 Temples in Kandy

1. Temple of the Tooth, Kandy

4.2 /5

Sri Dalada Maligawa is the Sinhalese name for this holy shrine. Famously called Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, it is touted to be the most sacred Buddhist temple in the whole world. It houses the tooth of Buddha set in a golden chamber and is within the premises of the royal palace complex (formerly a princely state).

Tours starting from
₹410

4.6 /5

The famous Lankatilaka temple of the Gampola period, attached with a rich history and incredible architecture, portrays the essence of Sri Lanka from the 14th century during the Gampola reign. It is located in Kandy near the Gadaladeniya Vihara Buddhist temple.

Tours starting from
₹5,124

4.5 /5

The Dambulla Cave Temple also called the Golden Temple of Dambulla is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the Matale District, in the central province of Sri Lanka. It is the best-preserved and most extensive cave temple complex of the country comprising of five main caves, each possessing numerous statues of Lord Buddha, and some figures of kings and statues of Lord Vishnu.

Tours starting from
₹1,962

4.5 /5

Galamaduwa Raja Maha Viharaya is an old temple located in the Kalapura Village in Kandy district in Sri Lanka, which is a good place to visit for history enthusiasts; especially those that like to explore uncrowded places.

Tours starting from
₹1,793

Kandy Travel Packages

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5 Nights / 6 Days

Sri Lanka: Where Nature Meets Culture

Kandy(1N) → Nuwara Eliya(1N) → Bentota(2N) → Colombo(1N)

₹37,750/person

4 Nights / 5 Days

5-Night Sri Lanka Tour: Kandy, Bentota, and Colombo Highlights

Kandy(2N) → Bentota(1N) → Colombo(1N)

₹29,000/person

8 Nights / 9 Days

Sri Lanka Ramayana Tour Package for 8 Nights 9 Days

Colombo(1N) → Trincomalee(1N) → Kandy(1N) → Nuwara Eliya(1N...

₹33,210/person

4 Nights / 5 Days

5 Days and 4 Nights trip in Sri Lanka

Kandy(1N) → Nuwara Eliya(1N) → Bentota(2N)

$325/person

6 Nights / 7 Days

7-Day Sri Lanka Tour: Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Galle ,Bentota & Colombo

Kandy(1N) → Nuwara Eliya(1N) → Ella(1N) → Bentota(2N) &rarr...

$324/person

4 Nights / 5 Days

Premium Explorer Sri Lanka 4 Nights / 5 Days Tour

Kandy(1N) → Ella(1N) → Mirissa(1N) → Colombo(1N)

₹34,990/person

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5. Degaldoruwa Raja Maha Vihara, Kandy

4.6 /5

Built in 1771 AD under the reign of King Rajadhi Rajasinha, Degaldoruwa Raja Maha Vihara is an old Buddhist rock temple located in the Kandy district in Sri Lanka.

4.5 /5

Founded by King Vikramabahu III between 1357-1374 AD, Embekka Devalaya is an ancient temple dedicated to the guardian deity Kataragama deviyo and the local deity Devatha Bandara of Sri Lanka.

Tours starting from
₹5,124

Kandy is the religious centre of the island. Temples in Sri Lanka puts it in context, and cities in Sri Lanka covers the wider route.

This post was published by Harshitha

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FAQs on Temples in Kandy

What is the Temple of the Tooth?

Sri Dalada Maligawa, which houses a tooth relic of the Buddha and is the most important Buddhist site in Sri Lanka. The relic itself is never displayed; what you see is the golden casket during puja, three times a day.

When should I go?

During one of the three daily pujas, at roughly 5:30am, 9:30am and 6:30pm, when the relic chamber doors open and there is drumming and horn music. The evening one is the fullest and most striking.

What are the four devales?

Four Hindu shrines beside the temple, dedicated to Natha, Vishnu, Kataragama and Pattini. They are free, take ten minutes each, and are a good illustration of how closely Buddhist and Hindu practice sit together here.

What should I wear?

White or light clothing, shoulders and knees covered, shoes and hats removed at the entrance. There is a cloakroom for shoes. The stone courtyard gets very hot in the afternoon, so socks help.

Is the Esala Perahera worth planning around?

If you can. The August festival brings nightly processions of drummers, dancers and caparisoned elephants through Kandy for ten days. Accommodation books out months ahead and prices rise sharply.