Kandy or Mahanuwara is the second-largest city in Sri Lanka and also the capital of the Central Province. It was the capital of the ancient kingdom of Kandy. The city lies in the midst of hills in the Kandy plateau, which is full of tropical plantations, mainly tea. Kandy is an administrative and religious city. Kandy is the home of the Temple of the Tooth Relic or Sri Dalada Maligawa, one of the most sacred places of worship in the Buddhist world. It was declared a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1988. The city has been known by many different names and versions of those names.
Many suggest that the original name of Kandy was Katubulu Nuwara located near the present Watapuluwa. However, the more popular historical name is Senkadagala or Senkadagalapura, officially Senkadagala Siriwardhana Maha Nuwara, generally shortened to ‘Maha Nuwara’. In 1592 Kandy became the capital city of the last remaining independent kingdom on the island after coastal region, which had been conquered by the Portuguese. Several invasions by Portuguese were repelled, most notably in the campaign of Denture. After Sinhalese–Portuguese War and establishment of Dutch Ceylon, attempts by Dutch to conquer the kingdom were repelled.
The local Buddhist rulers steadfastly resisted Portuguese, Dutch, and British colonial expansion and occupation. But in the Second Kandyan War, British met no resistance and captured the city on 10 February 1815 and the island fell to a foreign power. The Kandyan Convention was signed in 1815 at the Sri Dalada Maligawa when King Vikrama Rajasinha was deposed by Sinhalese chieftains ending over 2500 years of Sinhalese monarchy. During the British colonial rule in Sri Lanka, Kandy witnessed a rapid and drastic change, particularly after Uva Rebellion.
Kandys geographic location has made it a major transportation hub on the island, and a gateway to the Central Highlands. As 2nd only to Colombo, Kandy has many offices and industries employing many from across the country and involved in textiles, gemstones, furniture, information technology, and jewelry. Many agriculture research centers are also located throughout the city. Well connected by all major cities of the island Kandy is a major education hub with numerous schools and colleges. There are numerous places worth visiting in and around the city such as Royal Palace, Lankatilaka Temple, Gadaladeniya Temple. Surrounded by lush greenery the city is known as a city of parks with several parks and lakes on every corner including Peradeniya Botanic Gardens.
The cultural capital of Sri Lanka the city has several museums and is known for its festivals including Esala Perahera, the annual 10-day festival that includes a torchlight parade of dancers and drummers, dignitaries, and ornately decorated elephants. The festival commemorates the sacred tooth; one of the best-known festivals in Asia, and the largest Buddhist celebration in the world. The city is a favorite destination for adventure seekers who wish to go on backpack to some far-off places. The city is known for its shopping malls and is a major shopping destination. The city has numerous hotels resort that provides luxurious, mid-range, and budget accommodation. The city has numerous restaurants that serve a variety of delicious cuisine. Kandy is the favorite destination for wildlife lovers and birdwatch enthusiasts as the city is surrounded by forest with numerous waterfall. The city is a must-visit for those visiting Sri Lanka.
