The emerald hilltop city of Kandy is considered to be one of Sri Lanka’s cultural hubs, with its emphasis on Buddhist spirituality. This iconic city boasts such revered elements as the sacred temple of the tooth relic, the iconic “Esela Perehera” as well as the fascinating temples, which imbue the area with an air of mysticism punctuated by the serenely cool climate. Visitors looking to soak in this unique atmosphere are treated with a wide spread of quality hotels Sri Lanka offers in this unique part of the country. One Sri Lanka hotel worth investing in is The Sands whose stylishly modern amenities and peaceful location pamper guests for an unforgettable stay. One of the most interesting ancient temples near Kandy is the Hendeniya Rajamaha Vihara, a gorgeous rock temple (or “Len Vihara” – “cave temple”) built in the 14th century at the request of one of King Wickramabahu’s consorts who was visiting the area. The entrance to the temple complex is a magnificent, elaborately decorated stone archway, making visitors feel as though they are stepping through the doorways of time into the past. Three ancient temples reside on the premises, the largest of which enshrines several gilded statues of Lord Buddha depicted in both sitting and reclining positions. The main building is flanked by two little devales (shrines) on either side, dedicated to Lord Vishnu on the right and Lord Kataragama on the left. In addition, the cave ceilings portray elaborate paintings of the historic Jataka stories, which are Buddhist parables, poetry and other writings. The premises have also seen the modern construction of additional buildings mimicking the ancient architectural style of the older temples to house additional statues as tributes to the deities. The entire temple complex is worth a visit for the spiritual tourist who wants to investigate one of Kandy’s less famous yet culturally significant tributes to the gods.
Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and hopes to visit them all someday.