National Museum of Kandy

National Museum Kandy, Kandy Overview

Sri Lankan history and heritage, which has come a long way over the decades, is rightly preserved in the National Museum in Kandy, Sri Lanka. Formerly known as Palle Vahala, the museum earlier used to serve as accommodation for royal guests.

Located just beside the famous Temple of the Tooth relic in Kandy, the National Museum, acclaimed its status in 1942. It is a must visit place for travellers and explorers who have a thirst to know the unknown and to understand the past. Over about 5,000 artifacts and ola leaf manuscripts are preserved in this National Museum of Kandy. Statues of eminent personalities like the former Governor of Ceylon, Sir Henry Ward are exhibited. The Kanadian era architecture of the museum is magnificent and the exhibition inside the museum provides a glance of mini Sri Lanka - its history, culture and the lineage of the kingdom, all at once.

Timings for National Museum Kandy

The National Museum is open for all the days in a week. You can visit the museum within 09:00 AM to 05:00 PM.

Entry Fee for National Museum Kandy

Ticket prices vary for locals and foreigners. All the ticket prices are in Sri Lankan rupees.
In case of local people,

Child : 20 LKR
Adult : 30 LKR

In case of foreigners,

Child : 400 LKR
Adult : 600 LKR

However, rates are probable to change with changing scenario.

Time Required for National Museum Kandy

To get to know in and out of the National Museum, a 2 hours tour in the National Museum Kandy is appropriate.

Exhibition at the National Museum Kandy

The bewildering exhibition of culture merged with traditions and heritage is in sheer prominence in National Museum Kandy. For better guidance inside the museum, one can also find trained guides inside National Museum Kandy. The various things to do in the National Museum in Kandy are:

1. The primary exhibition is held in the Vahala building and secondary exhibitions are held in the main Palace building.
2. One can see ancient weapons, jewellery and tools of Kandian era.
3. Marvel at the statues of eminent personalities of ancient times like that of the statue of the former British Governor of Ceylon, Sir Henry Ward.
4. One can also get a glimpse of ola leaf manuscripts, pots of varied shapes, sizes and materials, masks and even their traditional costumes of the contemporary period.

History of National Museum Kandy

The building in which the museum now stands aloof, was built by King Sri Wrickrama Rajasingha in 1832. Later in the year 1942, the museum was acclaimed as a national museum in Sri Lanka. Kandian era is vividly noticed in every nook and corner of the museum. Over 5,000 artifacts of the Knadian era and pre- european Sinhalese era are seen here. The architecture of the museum is also synonymous with Kandian era architecture. Now National Museum Kandy is maintained by the Department of National Museums.

Tips for visiting National Museum Kandy

If you wish to get a thorough tour inside the museum, try to avoid the usual rush hours of the day.
Plan your tour beforehand to avoid delay in the plans.
Try to get in touch with trained guides for enhanced experience.
Always carry food and water for necessary situations.

How To Reach National Museum of Kandy

One can easily avail local buses, three-wheelers( also known as Tuk-Tuks in locale), rent scooty or hire a cab as well, to reach National Museum Kandy.