Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic

Kandy is the second most populated city in Sri Lanka. It is a heartland city surrounded by misty mountains and a winding river. Lush green forests, spice lands and tea plantations dominate the Kandyan landscape. Historically, the ancient city served as the last Sinhalese capital until 1815. Today, it continues to be a bastion of Sri Lankan culture and way of life. The city is designed around the Sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic. This temple houses the venerated left canine Tooth of the Buddha. It is a UNESCO world heritage site and one of the most sacred places of worship in the Buddhist world. Thousands of pilgrims regularly visit Kandy in memory of Buddha, which gives the city a religious atmosphere. Each year, an annual procession is known as the “Sri Dalada Perahera” attracts thousands of both local and foreign visitors to the temple (usually held in July or August). It is, without doubt, the most colourful celebration of Sri Lankan culture. The final night-time procession (The Randoli procession) is one of the most colourful events in the world. Even on a regular day, Kandy is a busy place but it’s part of the city’s charm. The chaotic commercial city is bordered by a beautiful artificial lake.

Sri Lanka is one of the world’s most important tea producers. There are thousands of tea plantations all around the island. Instead of automated tea processing, Sri Lanka still uses the mechanized colonial process. This is because it ensures higher quality than the new brands. Giragama Tea Plantation has opened its factory for in-depth tours on tea processing. The tour provides insight into refining black teas and the complex process conceived back in the British colonial era. The factory is located just outside Kandy.