Kandy City

Religious

Kandy City is an International religious centre. Among the places of worship, the Sri Dalada Maligawa (The Temple of the Tooth Relic) takes pride of place. It is the paladium of the Theravada Buddhist faith and contains a genuine tooth of the Lord Gauthama Buddha. The Maligawa is surrounded by the Four "Maha" Devales, Natha, Pattini, Katharagama and Vishnu which are patronized by both Buddhists and Hindus. The Meeramakkam Mosque is the primary religious centre for Muslims. The St. Paul's Church stands out as one of the historically important churches for Christians in Kandy. Apart from the main religious centres, the city and Kandy district at large has hundreds of of temples, mosques, Kovils and churches, many of which are frequented by people of more than one religion or faith.


Sri Dalada Maligawa	St. Anthony's Cathedral	Hindu Kovil in Kandy

Kandy has a proud heritage as a kingdom that has been tolerant of all faiths, particularly because the kings adhered to Buddhism. When the inhabitants of Sri Lanka's coastal zone came under religious persecution from the European invaders from Portugal, Holland and England, they received sanctuary and patronage only from the Kandyan Buddhist kings. When the Portuguese came into control of the coastal regions they persecuted the Buddhists and Muslims. When the Dutch replaced them, in addition to the Buddhists and Muslims, the Catholics were also persecuted. Finally under British rule all religions including Catholics and the Dutch reformed church came under harassment. Kandy became the safe haven for the priests and adherents of all these religions and faiths. The king granted land and patronage to the priests of all faiths to establish, practice and preach their religion. Many of the historically significant places of worship in Kandy, particularly those of the Christian and Muslim faiths were established under these circumstances.