Kandy Esala Perahera 2015
The month of August is a much anticipated month of the year in Sri Lanka as it is the time for the Sri Lankan cultural and religious extravaganza- the great Kandy Esala Perahera. The Perahera or parade is held to honor the sacred tooth relic of the Gautama Buddha and the ‘guardian’ gods Natha, Vishnu, Kataragama and Goddess Pattini. So, next time you embark on those wonderful cultural tours Sri Lanka with a premier Destination Management company such as Jetwing Travels, make sure to include this must-see event into your August travel plan.
The Kandy Esala Perahera will begin on the 20th of August with the first of the Kumbal Perahara. The first of the Randoli Perahara will begin on the 25th of August and finally the event finishes on the 30th of August with the Dawal Perahara (Day Procession). There are three events before the Kumbal Perahara and those are the Kap planting of the four devalas on the 15th of August and the Dewala Peraharas on the 15th and 19th of August.
In the great Kandy Esala Perahera the sacred tooth relic is carried along the streets around the Dalada Maligawa in a procession featuring vibrant traditional dance and musical performances. There are over 50 Elephants and Tuskers participating in the event, and a golden casket carrying the sacred tooth is mounted on a magnificent tusker.