Kandy Esala Perahera 2023 To Be Held in August – A Key Cultural Festival in Sri Lanka

The annual Kandy Esala Perahera in Sri Lanka will take place from 21st to 30th August giving locals and tourists a chance to witness stunning cultural possessions. The festival pays homage to the sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha housed within the Sri Dalada Maligawa (also known as the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic) in the hill capital, Kandy; bungalows to be found here at properties like Hanthana Boutique Villa by Amaya make an ideal base from which to take in this procession in and around the city.

One of the world’s oldest cultural festivals, the Esala Perahera dates to the 3rd century BC and features various processions over ten days. These include the Kumbal Perahera (21st August – 25th August 2023) and the Randoli Perahera (26th August – 30th August 2023); the latter features a parading of the sacred tooth relic with the last day known as the Maha Randoli Perahara, which is the grandest part of the festival. Such processions are made up of ceremonial elephants, dancers, acrobats, fire-breathers, jugglers, whip crackers and more which have made this cultural event so spectacular.