The Last Capital of the Sinhala Kings. (Kandy Sri Lanka)
Kandy Sri Lanka, located in the mountainous and thickly forested interior of Sri Lanka, was the last capital of the Sinhala kings. They were great patrons of the Dinahala culture, which flourished for over 2,500 years until the British occupation in 1815. The city is also home to the famous Temple of the Tooth Relic, housing the sacred tooth of the Buddha. This site is a popular pilgrimage destination and was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1988.
Annual Esala Perahera.
The city of Kandy is situated between multiple mountain ranges, including the Knuckles and Hanthana Mountain ranges, which give it an elevation of 500 metres (1,600 ft) above sea level. One of the most popular events in Kandy is the annual Esala Perahera procession. During this event, one of the inner caskets used for covering the tooth relic is taken on a royal tusker and paraded through the streets of the city. The procession includes traditional dancers, drummers, flag bearers, torch-bearers, and a grandly attired elephant. The annual ceremony, held in July or August, draws large crowds from both within and outside the country.
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