The Kandy Esala Perahera, also known as the ‘Festival of the Tooth Relic’ is considered a sacred and cultural festival that is held annually in July and August, that runs as a mega procession that takes its path around the city of Kandy.
Location
Kandy – located in the central highland of the beautiful island nation of Sri Lanka is both an administrative and religious city and is considered the capital of the Central Province. Known as the last capital of the last generation of Sri Lanka Kings which finally fell under British rule in 1815.
The name ‘Kandy’ was derived by the British, from its Ceylonese name – “Kanda Uda Rata” – which translates to “hill country” or “up country”.
It is home to the Sri Dalada Maligawa, one of the most sacred places of worship in the Buddhist world, and the city was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988, partly due to the significance and architectural prowess of the temple.
Historical Significance
This historically and culturally important procession is held annually in honor of the Buddha’s sacred tooth relic in the city of Kandy’s – Sri Dalada Maligawa, also known as the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.
The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, located near the ancient Royal Palace is a world-renowned place of worship, where the left Canine tooth of Gautama Buddha is enshrined. The temple which is venerated by thousands of local & foreign devotees and tourists daily was named as a world heritage by UNESCO in 1988.
The Perahara pageant concept became popular during the reign of Emperor Asoka of India. Kandy Perahara pageant displays several traditional customs that have both Buddhist and Hindu religious customs intermingled with the Buddhist and Hindu religious customs.
Most of the customs have been derived from statutes in the “Dantha Dhathu Charitha” or “Dalada Siritha” (a book on the customs pertaining to the sacred Tooth Relic) written during the regime of King Parakramabahu IV (1302-1326) of Kurunegala.
The Perahera
The term ‘Perahera’ translates to ‘parade’ of traditional Kandyan dancers, including fire dancers, whip crackers, Kandyan drummers, conch shell blowers, singers – both young and old, acrobats, flag bearers, elephant tamers, temple officials and various other performers accompanied by a large number of Tuskers and Elephants parading through the streets of Kandy, and around the Kandy lake in celebration of this Buddhist event.
A production that welcomes thousands of spectators and believers, the festival includes hundreds of local performers ten [10] majestic tuskers, yards and yards of glamorous silks, floats adorned with canopies, fire-based entertainment, incredible acrobatics that go through feats of daring and passion.
The Esela Perahera will commence on the 2nd of August 2022 and go on until the 12th of August – an event you wouldn’t want to miss! Contact us today to book your tickets and accommodation.