KANDY

Kandy is located in the Central Province, Sri Lanka. It is the second largest city in the country after Colombo. It was the last capital of the ancient kings’ era of Sri Lanka.

The city lies in the midst of hills in the Kandy plateau, which crosses an area of tropical plantations, mainly tea.

Kandy is the home of The Temple of the Tooth Relic(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

Kandy Lake is a lake in the heart of the hill city of Kandy, built in 1807 by King Sri Vikrama Rajasinha of Sri Lanka, next to the Temple of the Tooth.

Over the years, it was reduced in size. It is a protected lake, with fishing banned.

There are many legends and folklore regarding the lake. One such is that the small island at its center was used by the king’s helm for bathing and was connected to the palace by secret tunnel

 

ANCIENT CITY OF POLONNARUWA

The ancient city of Polonnaruwa has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982

Polonnaruwa was the second capital of Sri Lanka after the destruction of Anuradhapura in 993. It comprises, besides the Brahmanic monuments built by the Cholas, the monumental ruins of the fabulous garden-city created by Parakramabahu I in the 12th century.http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/201

ROYAL PALACE GROUP

The Royal Palace of King Parakumba 1(1153-1186 ) was constructed as seven story building, but now remains only parts of 3 floor.This also known as Veijeyanthi Prasada (or Vijayoth Paya- name refer for Palace of god Sakra)

Historical records says that this has 1000 rooms, but today you can see only ruins of 55. The building is made up with thick brick walls. http://srilankatravelnotes.com

audience hall

kumara pokuna (royal bath)

QUADRANGLE

Quadrangle is a compact area of ruins bounded by a wall. It’s the most concentrated collection of buildings in the ancient cities

Vatadage is believed to have been built during the reign of Parakramabahu I to hold the tooth relic of the Buddha, or during the reign of Nissanka Malla  to hold the alms bowl used by the Buddha. (wikipedia)

AROUND QUADRANGLE

 

 

NORTHERN GROUP

 

Gal Viharaa group of Buddha images

 

DAMBULLA

Dambulla cave temple also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla is a World heritage Site (1991) , situated in the central part of Sri Lanka. (wikipedia)