Kandy Esala Perahera 2019 Next Month – A Grand Buddhist Festival Begins in Sri Lanka

The most prominent Buddhist festival in the island, the annual Kandy Esala Perahera will commence next month. It is held in the month of “Esala” which commemorates Lord Buddha’s first teaching following his enlightenment. This year the event will run from 5th to 15th August centred around the famed Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in the hill capital Kandy, Sri Lanka. Car rental services are available from companies such as Malkey Rent A Car which offer convenient transport options here.

Amongst the highlights of the Kandy Esala Perahera are the colourful street parades with dancers, acrobats, musicians, drummers, fire-breathers and colourfully adorned elephants. The first procession which is known as the Kumbal Perahera will take place on 5th August and continue till 9th August. The Randoli Perahera which is significant since the Sacred Tooth Relic is paraded through the streets will take place from 10th to 14th August. The last day of the festival includes a water cutting ceremony and a day perahera.