The Kandy Esala Perahera Being Celebrated in Sri Lanka – A Grand Festival in the Hill Capital

Sri Lanka is celebrating its annual Esala Perahera this month in the hill capital, Kandy. This historical cultural festival usually takes place during the lunar month known as ‘Esala’ in the traditional Sinhalese calendar which usually falls in July or August; this year, the event is taking place from 17th to 31st August and is drawing locals and foreign tourists to Kandy. Hotels located in this idyllic mountain region such as Amaya Hills are providing an ideal base from which to view the various traditions that are part of the Esala Perahera.

The festival pays homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha which is enshrined in the city’s Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic which is a key attraction here. There are several important processions which are part of the festival that devotees and general observers can witness during this period. The five processions that are part of the Kumbal Perahera are taking place from the 21st to the 25th of August, while the Randoli Perahera will be from the 26th to the 30th of August; the final of these is the Grand Randoli Procession known for featuring elephants with colourful ceremonial costumes, jugglers, acrobats, fire-eaters, dancers, drummers, stilt walkers and more.