It has been recorded that the
brahmin called Senkanda, from whose name the city's original name Senkandagalapura derives, lived in a cave in this forest.
[2]
The rock-shelter or cave now known as the Senkandagala-lena is located
on the slope above the temple of the tooth and can be visited. The
legend says the brahmin brought a sapling of
Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi here and planted it in the present day site of
Natha Devala.
[3] It was used as a
pleasure garden by the Kandyan kings. The forest was reserved for the Royal family and the pond situated in the forest was used for
bathing.
[1] The public was restricted from accessing the forest hence the name Thahanci kele (Sinhalese for Forbidden forest).
[4]
During the
colonial era some of the land near the Temple of the Tooth was used to build the Kandy garrison cemetery.
[5] In 1834 governor
Horton built a path, Lady Horton's drive, within the forest in remembrance of his wife. Henry W. Cave mentions the
trail is about three miles long.
[6]
Lady McCarthy's drive, Lady Torrington's road, Lady Gordon's road, Lady
Anderson's road, Gregory path, Russell path, and Byrde lane are the
other named walks in the forest. Some are abandoned and overgrown now.
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