Kandy Esala Perahera – July/August

Sri Lanka, known as the ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean’ is a country with a rich history and diverse culture. And one of the most significant events that showcase the cultural and spiritual heritage of the country is the Kandy Esala Perahera. This grand festival is celebrated in the months of July and August, in the city of Kandy, located in the central hills of Sri Lanka.

The Esala Perahera is a procession that is said to date back to the 3rd century, during the reign of King Kirthi Sri Meghavanna. According to historical sources, the King initiated the procession to ask the gods for rain to end a drought that was plaguing the city. Since then, the procession has been celebrated annually with great pomp and splendor.

The Festival

The Esala Perahera is a 10-day festival, with the final day known as the ‘Kumbal Perahera’. This is followed by five days of the ‘Randoli Perahera’, and the festival concludes with the ‘Divine Helada Perahera’.

Each night, the streets of Kandy come alive with a colorful parade of dancers, drummers, fire twirlers, and beautifully-decorated elephants. The parade is led by the ‘Main Tusker’, carrying the ‘Sacred Tooth Relic’ of Lord Buddha. The tooth relic is housed in the ‘Temple of Tooth’ or ‘Sri Dalada Maligawa’, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

During the procession, the streets are adorned with thousands of colorful lights and decorated with traditional Sri Lankan designs. The sound of drums, trumpets, and conch shells fill the air, creating a vibrant and electrifying atmosphere. People from all over the country and the world flock to Kandy to witness this magnificent spectacle.

Significance

The Kandy Esala Perahera is not just a celebration of culture, but also holds immense religious significance to the Buddhist community in Sri Lanka. It is believed that the procession honors the Sacred Tooth Relic, which was brought to Sri Lanka in the 4th century. The relic is said to have been saved from the funeral pyre of Lord Buddha and was smuggled to Sri Lanka from India in the hair of a princess.

Devotees and spectators also believe that witnessing the procession brings good luck and blessings. Many make offerings to the Temple of Tooth and pray for prosperity and well-being.

The Conclusion

The Kandy Esala Perahera is a celebration of faith, culture, and tradition, and is a must-visit for anyone traveling to Sri Lanka in the months of July and August. It is a true reflection of the spirit and soul of Sri Lanka, and witnessing this grand event is an experience that will stay with you for a lifetime.

The Kandy Esala Perahera is a grand festival celebrated in the months of July and August in the city of Kandy in Sri Lanka.

The procession is said to date back to the 3rd century and was initiated by King Kirthi Sri Meghavanna to end a drought.

The procession is a 10-day event that starts with the ‘Kumbal Perahera’ and concludes with the ‘Divine Helada Perahera’.

The procession is led by the ‘Main Tusker’ carrying the ‘Sacred Tooth Relic’ of Lord Buddha.

The streets are adorned with lights and traditional Sri Lankan designs during the procession, creating a vibrant and electrifying atmosphere.

The procession holds immense religious significance to the Buddhist community in Sri Lanka as it honors the Sacred Tooth Relic.

It is believed that witnessing the procession brings good luck and blessings.

The Kandy Esala Perahera is a celebration of faith, culture, and tradition and is a must-visit for anyone traveling to Sri Lanka.

It is a true reflection of the spirit and soul of Sri Lanka, and an experience that will stay with you for a lifetime.

#KandyEsalaPerahera #SriLanka #BuddhistCulture