“The last king of Kandy flooded paddy fields to build this ornamental lake, and legend says nobles who objected to the forced labour were executed.”
About Kandy Lake (Bogambara)
Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe, the final king of the Kandyan kingdom, created the lake in 1807 as a centrepiece for his capital, just years before the British deposed him in 1815 and ended Sri Lanka's monarchy. The ambitious, labour-heavy project drew resentment, and stories of harsh punishment for those who resisted attach to its making. The lake has remained the city's defining feature ever since.
Kandy Lake (Bogambara)
Kandy Lake, also called Bogambara Lake, is the serene centrepiece of the hill city of Kandy, a man-made lake created in the early 19th century beside the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. Ringed by a walking path and overlooked by the temple and surrounding hills, it gives the former royal capital its tranquil, attractive heart.
Kandy Lake, also called Bogambara Lake, is the serene centrepiece of the hill city of Kandy, a man-made lake created in the early 19th century beside the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.
The Last King's Lake
The lake was built in 1807 by Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe, the last king of Kandy, who flooded what had been paddy fields and marshland to create an ornamental lake beside his palace. The grand project was controversial; tradition holds that chiefs who objected to the forced labour were punished, even executed. A small island in the centre is variously said to have held a royal summer house. Within a decade the king lost his throne to the British.
The Experience
Along the path that circles the lake, with views across the water to the golden-roofed Temple of the Sacred Tooth and the green hills beyond. Pelicans, cormorants and monitor lizards frequent the shores. The walk is a gentle, scenic way to take in Kandy, especially at sunrise or sunset, and it links the temple with the wider city.
Why It Matters
Kandy Lake is the heart of a UNESCO World Heritage city and a lasting monument to the final days of the Kandyan kingdom, the last independent realm in Sri Lanka. Built by the last king on the eve of his downfall, it ties the city's beauty to a poignant chapter of the island's history.
Kandy Lake is the heart of a UNESCO World Heritage city and a lasting monument to the final days of the Kandyan kingdom, the last independent realm in Sri Lanka.
Why Visit
The tranquil heart of Kandy, a scenic lake built by the island's last king beside its holiest temple, ideal for a gentle waterside walk and views.
✦ Insider Tips
- 1
Walk the full lakeside path for views of the Tooth Temple.
- 2
Early morning and sunset offer the best light and cooler air.
- 3
Look for pelicans, cormorants and monitor lizards by the water.
- 4
It links directly to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth.
