KANDY LAKE (BOGAMBARA LAKE)

Kandy Lake is known as Kiri Muhuda, or "the Sea of Milk". It was created at the foot of the Temple of the Tooth in 1807 by Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe, the last king of Kandy, in an area previously occupied by rice fields. Today it is part of the last vestiges of the Sri Lankan Kingdom. It is an artificial lake of 1.8 km long and 300 m wide. Initially owned by the King, it was later used by the British as a recreational base. On its northern bank and near the temple, one can see the old royal baths, transformed during the English colonization into a library and, in the center, a small island. This lake is surrounded by a wall, the construction of which has not been completed. In 1815, the King was arrested and imprisoned by the British and never finished his project. The walakulu wall (wall of the clouds) is therefore still in place.

Today, the lake is a pleasant place for everyone to come and relax and take a walk during the day or evening. The shaded path around the lake offers a beautiful view of the hills and the city. It is particularly popular with walkers and joggers. Boat trips are possible as well as shuttle transfers from one shore to the other. The place is secure because it is guarded by guards. The only drawback is that during the day, you may be solicited by a few assiduous sellers, looking for tourists.