While the iconic Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is the most visited of the temples in Kandy, the historic city is a gateway to many more temples that reveal more of Sri Lanka’s spirituality. If you’re up for an adventure mixed with spiritual serenity from 4-star hotels in Kandy, Sri Lanka, there is a loop of three equally captivating temples just beyond the city that you can visit.
Gadaladeniya Temple
Known for its intricate stone carvings, this temple, along with its South Indian architecture, dates back to the 14th century, but its paintings, although faded, still provide clues about its origins. The temple showcases how spirituality and artistry can coexist seamlessly, and makes for a great first stop on your tour from hotels like Kandy Myst by Cinnamon.
Lankathilaka
This is one of the more majestic architectural structures from the Gampola Kingdom. It features a combination of Sinhalese, Dravidian and Indo-Chinese architectural styles, making the temple a captivating sight of religious design and style.
Embekke Devalaya
Located in the Ambakka Village, this 14th-century wooden temple is the site of many religious ceremonies. Its courtyard is where most of the rituals are performed, where trumpets and hewisi drums are played, adding to the temple’s religious aura.
Things to Keep in Mind
These temples are usually visited as part of a single route that spans 7 kilometres. Travelling by car is the easiest and will take around two and a half hours to complete the entire journey. Make sure to wear modest attire out of respect for these religious sites.
