“Why do the mountains bow toward Kandy?” I once heard a traveler ask. Here at Sri Jayasundararamaya we stand in a city cradled by hills. Kandy served as the last capital of the Sinhalese monarchy. Their reign fostered a vibrant culture for over 2500 years. British forces finally occupied Sri Lanka in 1815.
Sri Jayasundararamaya stands as a testament to Kandy’s enduring cultural and religious significance. Kandy is also the home of the Temple of the Tooth Relic. It is one of Buddhism’s most sacred sites. UNESCO declared Kandy a World Heritage Site in 1988.
Let’s step back to the founding of Kandy. Historical records suggest Vikramabahu III established it in the 14th century. He named it Senkadagalapura. Sena Sammatha Wickramabahu later became the first king of the Kingdom of Kandy. He ruled as a semi-independent kingdom under the Kingdom of Kotte.
In 1592 Kandy rose to prominence. It became the capital of the last independent kingdom on the island. Coastal regions had fallen to the Portuguese. The kingdom fiercely resisted Portuguese and Dutch invasions.
The tooth relic of the Buddha found its home in Kandy. It symbolizes a 4th-century tradition. The relic became linked to the Sinhalese monarchy. The ruler of the land became its protector. The Royal Palace and the Temple of the Tooth stood in close proximity.
Kandy remained independent until the early 19th century. The British invaded in 1815. The Kandyan Convention was signed at the Sri Dalada Maligawa. The island fully fell into foreign hands for the first time.
The British and the Kandyan aristocrats signed a treaty. Kandy recognized George III as its King. It became a British protectorate. The British exiled the last king Sri Vikrama Rajasinha to India.
Kandy underwent significant changes during British rule. Sir Lowry noted the shame of English rule during the rebellion of 1818. Many leading families perished. Development efforts faltered.
The Matale Rebellion in 1848 marked a turning point. Led by Gongalegoda Banda and Puran Appu, it aimed to reclaim Kandy. The rebellion signified a transition to modern independence struggles.
During World War II in 1944, the South East Asia Command moved to Kandy. It remained there until the war ended. Kandy is now the second-largest city in Sri Lanka. It serves as the capital of the Central Province. Its location makes it a major transportation hub.
Kandy nestles amid mountains and lush forests. The Knuckles and Hanthana ranges surround it. The city sits 500 meters above sea level. Kandy Lake and Udawatta Kele Sanctuary add to its beauty. Kandy experiences a tropical rainforest climate. Its high elevation results in wetter and cooler temperatures.
Kandy’s cityscape features two open spaces. An elongated square houses administrative buildings. A quadrangular artificial lake adds to the city’s charm. A public garden enhances its spatial organization.
Kandy’s religious monuments grace the north shore of the lake. The Royal Palace and the Temple of the Tooth stand as prominent landmarks. The Dalada Maligawa showcases a rich array of materials. Buddhist monasteries dot this holy city.
The monumental ensemble of Kandy links the Royal Palace and the Temple of the Tooth. It represents a series of temples housing the Buddha’s tooth relic. The temple complex and the holy city connect to the history of Buddhism’s dissemination.
The city of Kandy has a sister city relationship with Ayudhya in Thailand and Chengdu in China.
Sri Jayasundararamaya and Kandy as a whole continue to echo with history and spirituality. The echoes resonate throughout the city. They touch all who visit this sacred place.