Kandy Esala Perahera

The Kandy Esala Perahera

The Kandy Esala Perahera, also known as The Festival of the Tooth Relic, is a historical procession held annually in July and August in Kandy, Sri Lanka. It is a religious and cultural festival that pays homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic of Buddha housed at the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy. The procession features traditional local dances, fire dances, Tom-Tom Bitters and performances in whip-dance garments. Abobe all the main Elephant called Dalada Maligava Tusker will carry the sacred tooth relic with many elephants parading behind him with decorative lights and ornamental dresses worn by the Elephants.

Location, Kandy, Sri Lanka

Period

Normally in July and August

(Please see the programme for 2024 below)

The Kandy Esala Perahera is a grand annual Buddhist festival celebrated in Kandy, Sri Lanka, to honour the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha. It is one of the oldest and most spectacular pageants in Asia, featuring vibrant parades, traditional music, elaborate costumes, and decorated elephants.

Key Details

• Held in July/August during the full moon month of Esala to seek blessings for a good harvest.

• Lasts for 10 days, culminating in an awe-inspiring procession through the streets of Kandy.

• Highlights include majestic elephants adorned in embroidered cloaks, Kandyan drummers, dancers, fire-breathers, and acrobats.

• The main procession carries a replica of the casket containing the Sacred Tooth Relic, sheltered by the brilliantly caparisoned Maligawa Tusker.

• Comprises five separate processions from shrines dedicated to Buddhist and Hindu deities like Natha, Vishnu, Kataragama, and Pattini.

• Rituals like Kap Situweema (planting a sanctified jackfruit tree) mark the beginning.

• Ends with the Diya Kepeema water-cutting ceremony at the Mahaweli River.

The 2024 Kandy Esala Perahera is scheduled from August 10th to August 20th, with the grand Randoli Procession on August 19th and the water-cutting ceremony on August 20th.