Kandy lake also goes by the name Kiri Muhuda or Sea of Milk by the locals. It is an artificial lake which is in the heart of the Kandy city, a part of Central Province, Sri Lanka. King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe built this lake in 1807.
How to reach Kandy Lake
It is easy to reach the Lake from any part of Sri Lanka. Using the local transport (Tuk-tuks) anyone can go to Kandy Lake without any problem. You can easily find it beside the beautiful Temple of Tooth Relic.
Location: Kandy Lake, Central Province, Sri Lanka
Entry fee: Free
Timing: Monday- Sunday 06:00 am – 08:00 pm
What to do in the Lake
There are lots of things to do at the Lake. The pathway around the Lake is almost 3.4 kilometers, which is a perfect place for morning walk and yoga. The view of the town in magnificent from this location. As the sun sets, one can take in the surrounding Udawattekele woodland reserve’s lushness.
In Kandy Lake, one can take pleasure in boating amidst the bustling metropolis. Costing Rs. 1500 per person, the boat journey lasts for roughly 15 to 20 minutes.
8 interesting facts about the Lake
- Authority banned fishing in the Kandy Lake.
- The Walakulu Bamma, also known as the Clouds Wall, is an unfinished wall that encircles Kandy Lake and was constructed to enhance its attractiveness.
- There is a small island in the middle of the Lake which the king has been using to keep his private harem. Later, the British used it as a weapon storage facility.
- This lake is home to numerous bird species including- White egret, Crane, Wood stork and Pelican.
- The maximum depth of this lake is 18 meters.
- The Lake is surrounded by a variety of various trees, such as- Mara trees, Nuga trees, fruit trees, and Sal trees. Interesting fact is that some trees are about 74 years old. The Kandy Municipal Council presently takes care of all the trees.
- Prior to becoming Kandy Lake, Tigolwela was a section of paddy fields. Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe, the King built it as a lake in 1807.
- Kandy Lake was created to enhance the Temple of the Sacred Tooth’s aesthetic appeal. Now, it is one of the top attractions of Kandy city.
A serious problem of the Lake
A serious problem is the lake’s contamination. The government and the neighborhood schools are working to decrease the problem by erecting signs and organizing environmental organizations. The Kandy water board used the reservoir to deliver water to the neighboring regions until 1960. They stopped drawing water from the lake because of the increase in pollutants.
So, wherever you go, kindly place trash in the trashcan and contribute in keeping the environment clean.
