The 1848 Matale Rebellion was a landmark peasant uprising against British colonial taxation and religious neglect. Led by figures like Gongalegoda Banda and Veera Puran Appu, the movement saw a symbolic royal coronation at Dambulla before being suppressed with severe martial law.
Recently restored as a museum near the Temple of the Tooth, the Ran Avuda Mandapaya was the Kandyan Kingdom’s royal armory. Housing sacred regalia like the Royal Sword, it managed elite guards and craftsmen, remaining a vital symbol of medieval military administration.
Located at the entrance to the devalaya grounds is an ancient ambalama that displays architectural characteristics of the Kandyan era. This square structure is constructed upon a square platform and features short walls on all four sides, with an opening provided for the entrance. These walls serve a dual purpose, also functioning as seating ledges.
Hidden within the heart of Harispattuwa, Aththaragama Rajamaha Viharaya carries whispers of ancient kings and forgotten artistry. Believed to be built by King Wattagamini Abhaya, this temple is famed for its rare, beautifully carved moonstones—each one a silent echo of Sri Lanka’s timeless heritage.
The exhibits of the museum vividly portray 35 lifelike wax figures representing notable individuals from Sri Lankan history. It also exhibits traditional Kandyan architecture, customs, and craftsmanship. There are also themed stalls displaying traditional industries, along with a dedicated dining section that demonstrates how royal meals were prepared in ancient times, complete with authentic recipes.
Set in the scenic hills of Hanthana, near Kandy, the Hanthana International Birds Park is a 27-acre ecotourism haven where families can discover over a hundred endemic and migratory bird species, enjoy guided tours, and engage in educational, child-friendly experiences amid a tranquil tea-country setting.
St. Paul’s Church in Kandy was constructed by the British colonial administration in 1846, following their annexation of the Kandyan Kingdom in 1815. The church was built on a plot of land known as Alakolamediththa, situated directly adjacent to two of the most sacred and symbolic landmarks in Kandy: the Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa) and the King’s Audience Hall.
The modest, square-shaped structure features a roof supported by four sturdy wooden beams set atop square stone pillars. The entire structure rests on a stone platform roughly two feet above the ground. The roof, which has a gentle slope on all four sides, uses two types of clay tiles—steep sections are covered with regular clay tiles, while the flatter portions are topped with traditional Sinhala tiles.
The Mawela Valagamba Lena Viharaya is located in the village of Lower Kadugannawa, within the Gannawa (Gangnaya) Pattu of Galbada Korale, which is part of Hatarakorale. This village is situated on the border of the Kegalle and Kandy Districts. Therefore, the Viharaya is known by the village name itself.
Among the Rajamaha Vihara of Hanguranketha, Kitulpe Rajamaha Viharaya holds great significance due to its association with the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha, which was once enshrined here when the British invaded the Kandyan Kingdom, elevating the temple to a site of deep veneration.
Perched on a hilltop with sweeping 360° views of Kandy’s mountains, the Nelligala International Buddhist Centre is a serene spiritual escape. Its gleaming Buddha statues, peaceful ambiance, and breathtaking sunsets make it both a place of worship and a must-visit viewpoint in Sri Lanka.
Simple and sturdy, the ambalama is designed for rest and shelter rather than beauty. Three wide openings at the back and sides let in the fresh mountain air, while the front features a straightforward entrance and a half-height stone wall. The open layout ensures that even on the hottest days, the inside remains cool and breezy.
The 14th-century Laṅkātilaka Rājamahā Vihāraya is a majestic brick masterpiece perched atop Paṇhalgala rock. Commissioned by King Bhuvanekabāhu IV, this Gampola-era shrine blends Polonnaruwa architectural traditions with South Indian design. Its towering image house, ornate Makara Torana, and vibrant Kandyan paintings reflect the pinnacle of medieval Sri Lankan art.
Elikewala Ambalama is made on 4 wooden beams placed on 4 stone blocks on the ground. 4 wooden pillars are tenoned to the frame and another wooden frame is built on top of it, on which the roof is built. The vertical wooden pillars are elaborately carved. But they have deteriorated to the point where they are no longer recognizable.
The Marble Statue of Queen Victoria was ceremoniously unveiled in 1902 as part of the commemoration of her Diamond Jubilee in 1897. Over the years, it was relocated multiple times, sometimes kept away from public view, before finally being moved to Victoria Dam in Teldeniya, Kandy, in 2023.
Pitiye Deviyo is a powerful protector deity of Dumbara who had once defeated the deity Natha Deviyo who had fled in fear of him after a brief battle. The people of Dumbara fear and respect him as he is believed to protect the land, the crops, and the people who live in the area. He provides the rain on time for cultivation and dry weather for harvesting.
The title of Adhigar (Adigar) in the Kandyan Kingdom of Sri Lanka referred to a high-ranking official or noble who held significant administrative and judicial authority. In Sinhala, he is called the Adhikaram. The position was one of the most powerful in the Kandyan court, second only to the king himself. Adhigars were entrusted with overseeing various aspects of governance, including implementing laws, administering justice, and managing royal affairs.
Diyawadana Nilame’ has the custody of the key to the first casket out of the seven golden caskets where the Sacred Tooth Relic is enshrined, as he is the lay custodian of the Sacred Tooth Relic. This position is recorded in the ‘Dathuwansa’, the chronicle of tooth relic, as ‘Dhathurakkadikari’.
The image house of Wendaruwa Kirivehera Rajamaha Viharaya is a rectangular Kandyan-style building with a verandah supported by 16 evenly spaced wooden pillars. The pillars are carved with alternating square and cylindrical sections, though these sections are plain and lack any decorative design. The pillars rest on a wooden frame constructed with large wooden beams placed atop the half-height outer wall of the image house.
Wathupola Ambalama is a small ambalama built in a symmetrical square shape on slightly elevated ground. Made of stone and brick, the walls of this ambalama are constructed to a height of about two feet to serve as seats. The back wall is a few inches higher than the side walls. This variation in height is a common feature in ambalamas from this period.
