What if I told you Aruppola is more than just a suburb of Kandy? Aruppola sits just four kilometers from Kandy’s bustling heart. It is a place where the rhythm of daily life blends with the whispers of history.
Aruppola is known for its Technical College. It is a hub of learning. Most of Aruppola’s residents belong to middle-class families. They contribute to both government and private sectors. Imagine them setting out each day. They are building the future of Sri Lanka.
But there’s another defining feature. Aruppola shares a border with the Mahaweli River. This is Sri Lanka’s longest river. It snakes its way through the landscape. The river has nourished the land and people for centuries.
Kandy itself boasts a rich history. It was established by Vikramabahu III between 1357 and 1374 AD. Kandy was once part of the Kingdom of Kotte. It became the new capital of the Kandyan Kingdom.
Kandy holds a special place in the hearts of Buddhists. It is home to the Temple of the Tooth Relic. This temple is one of the most sacred places of worship in the Buddhist world. Kandy was also the last capital of Sri Lanka’s ancient kings. Their era shaped the island’s culture.
The city sits at 465 metres above sea level. This gives it a unique climate. In 1988, UNESCO declared Kandy a World Heritage Site. This celebrated its cultural and historical significance. Kandy is the second-largest city in Sri Lanka. It is surrounded by hills. These hills are covered in tropical plantations. Tea is the main crop here.
If you venture into Kandy, visit the Kandy National Museum. It showcases the city’s history. It focuses particularly on the Kandyan period. This was between the seventeenth and nineteenth centuries. The museum is located in the Palle Vahala. This building once housed the queens and concubines of Sri Wickrama Rajasingha. He reigned from 1780 to 1832.
The museum displays over 5,000 historical objects. These include weapons, jewellery, and tools from the Kandyan era. There is even a copy of the 1815 agreement. This agreement handed power to the British. You can also see a replica of King Sri Wickrama Rajasingha’s golden crown.
The Kandy National Museum is next to the Temple of the Tooth Relic. It forms part of the Royal Palace. The Palle Vahala is also known as the Lower Palace.
So, as you stand here in Aruppola, remember you are near a city of immense historical and cultural importance. From its ancient roots to its role as a religious center, Kandy and its surroundings, including Aruppola, offer a glimpse into Sri Lanka’s vibrant past and present.