Kandy Esala Perahera Successfully Held – A Glittering Cultural Spectacle

Kandy Esala Perahera| Img by: Daniel Liabeuf via Wikimedia Commons,CC BY-SA 3.0

One of the most colorful cultural pageants in Sri Lanka, the Kandy Esala Perahera drew to a close this August. The “perahera” or procession included the Kumbal Perahera (5th to 9th August), Randoli Perahera (10th to 14th August) and the final Day Perahera (15th August). The Randoli Perahera is significant since, during this procession, the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha is also paraded through the streets.

Centered around the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, the processions are amongst the country’s most popular attractions. Those planning to catch next year’s Esala Perahera and looking for a boutique hotel Kandy has to offer near the procession route can consider options such as Kings Pavilion. Amongst the highlights of the perahera, one can look forward to seeing are traditional dancers, drummers, and whip crackers as well as the ceremonial tusker on which the Sacred Tooth Relic casket is carried.