Learn How to Pronounce Kandy | YouPronounce.it
How to Pronounce Kandy
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Meaning and Context
Kandy, known historically and in Sinhala as Mahanuwara (meaning "Great City"), is a major city in the Central Province of Sri Lanka and the capital of the former Kingdom of Kandy. Founded in the 14th century, it served as the last independent royal capital of the island until its annexation by the British in 1815, a fact that cements its status as a bastion of Sri Lankan culture and ancient history. The city's global renown is anchored by the sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa), a UNESCO World Heritage Site believed to house the tooth of the Buddha, making it a premier destination for Buddhist pilgrimage and cultural tourism. Nestled amidst picturesque landscapes of misty hills and the artificial Kandy Lake, the city is also famous for the vibrant Esala Perahera, an annual grand procession featuring traditional dancers, drummers, and lavishly decorated elephants. This unique blend of spiritual significance, colonial architecture, and natural beauty in the Kandy district makes it an indispensable highlight of the Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka.
Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings
The primary term "Kandy" is the standard English transliteration of the Tamil name for the city, கண்டி. The most common alternate spelling is "Kandi," which is a frequent typo resulting from the phonetic pronunciation. In Sinhala, the city is officially known as "Mahanuwara" (මහනුවර), though the Sinhalese pronunciation "Kanda Uda Rata" (meaning "the land on the mountain") is the etymological root for "Kandy." Travelers and writers sometimes mistakenly refer to it as "Candy," an incorrect homophonic spelling that conflates the city with the English word for confectionery. Another less common variant is the colonial-era "Kande," but "Kandy" is the unequivocally correct and universally recognized modern spelling for international contexts. When searching for information, using the correct "Kandy" is crucial, though including the term "Mahanuwara" can yield more localized or historical resources.
Example Sentences
No visit to Sri Lanka is complete without exploring the cultural riches of Kandy, home to the revered Temple of the Tooth Relic.
During the Esala Perahera, the streets of Kandy come alive with a spectacular pageant of light, music, and traditional pageantry.
Many tourists find that the cool, temperate climate in the hills surrounding Kandy provides a refreshing respite from the coastal heat.
The city's architectural tapestry weaves together Kandyan royal structures, British colonial buildings, and modern developments.
To understand the island's resilient history, one must study the era of the Kingdom of Kandy, which resisted European colonization for centuries.
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