Esala Perahera in Kandy, Sri Lanka – Paying homage to a sacred relic

The Esala Perahera in Kandy is one of the grandest Buddhist festivals in Sri Lanka, deeply rooted in religion and traditions, it honours the Sacred Tooth Relic (Lord Buddha’s tooth) and the four ‘guardian’ Gods Natha, Vishnu, Kataragama and the Goddess Pattini. Held annually between July and August on a date appointed by the Sri Dalada Maligawa or the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic; the Esala Perahera features fire-breathers, acrobats, drummers, dancers, jugglers and elaborately decorated tuskers and elephants parading through the streets of Kandy. The largest tusker carries the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha. The Esala Perahera lasts for 10 days, making it the longest religious event in the Sri Lanka. Hotels in and around Kandy, like Jetwing Hotels, are frequently fully booked as the procession draws thousands of people, both foreign and local.