Kandy Lake in Kandy

History of Kandy Lake

Kandy Lake was built by the last king of the city, Sri Vikrama Rajasinha. The lake was built to add to the visual beauty of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth. It is called Kiri Muhuda by the locals which literally translates to milky ocean. This waterbody was created in 1807. The new project was protested by a few chiefs since their people had shown resistance from taking up the responsibility in contributing to the labor needed. Their voices were immediately silenced by putting every person who had protested to death. The lake was created and was one of the most important works of the last king of Sri Lanka. After a few years, Britishers invaded the Kandian city that compromised the lake’s maintenance and proper management.

Attractions of Kandy Lake

The Kandy Lake in Sri Lanka has come under the ‘protected’ radar of the government which makes it one of the best tourist attractions in Sri Lanka. The lake also has notable attractions attached to it that should be in every tourist’s bucket list.

Temple of the Sacred Tooth: The golden-roofed temple was the reason for the creation of Kandy Lake, Sri Lanka. The temple houses the most important religious relics of all times, the tooth of Buddha. No one is allowed to see the tooth, however, it is stored in a golden casket that is brought out during important festivals. These festivals are filled with so many celebrations that tourists can take part in and experience a peaceful spiritual journey.

Jayatilleke Mandapaya: The Island was originally meant to be a dam for crossing from one side of the lake to another. Later, the dam was destroyed from both sides and the remaining middle portion of the dam plopped on the lake and is now called an island. A few people believe that the island was used by the king and was connected to the palace by the means of a secret tunnel. The island adds to the beauty of the lake and can be visited for its authentic ancient stories behind each scratch or brick out of place.

Walakulu Bamma: The wall is left unfinished to this date. The Walakulu Bamma wall was going to be built to add to the beauty of the Kandy Lake. However, the continuous capture of King Vikrama led to the construction being paused more than a few times. After the Kandian city was surrendered by the king, the British used it as an ammunition storage house. The Walakulu Bamma wall melts the hearts of its onlookers as it still has the original triangular holes that were used by the queen to display their well-lit lamps. Tourists can also find the detailed history behind the unfinished wall, a sign of loyalty and love shown by the subjects, towards their king.