Kandy Esala Perahera

Kandy Esala Perahera also known as the Festival of the Tooth is a festival held in July / August in Kandy, Sri Lanka. This historical procession is held annually to pay homage to the sacred Tooth Relic of Buddha which is housed at the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy. A unique symbol of Sri Lanka, the procession consists of traditional local dances such as fire dances, whip dance. The festival ends with the traditional water cutting ritual.

The Kandy Esala Perahera begins with the planting of a young jack fruit tree in the premises of each of the four temples ( Devala ) dedicated to fur guardian gods Natha, Vishnu, Kataragama, and goddess Pattini. Traditionally it was meant to shower blessing on the king and the people.

For the next five nights, the Devala peraheras take place within the premises of the four devalas with the priest of each temple taking the people every evening accompanied by music and drumming, flag and canopy bearers and gold armaments, the sacred insignia of the God.

On the sixth night Kumbal Perahera begins and continues for five days. The Devala perahera assemble in front of the Temple of the Tooth which is Sri Lanka’s most important Buddha shrine has been kept since 16th century with their insignia placed on the Ransivige ( a dome like structure )

The Relic casket which is a replica for the Tooth Relic is placed inside the ransivige affixed to the Temple Tusker and the Maligawa Procession joins the Devala Perahera and leads the procession followed by Drummers, dancers who enthrall the crowed, and followed by elephants and other group of musicians , dancers and flag carriers.

The Randoli perahera begins after five nights of Kumbal Perahera. Randoli refers to the Palanquin on which the queen of the ruling kings traditionally traveled. After five further nights , the Pageant ends with the water cutting ceremony and a day Perahera held to mark the ceremony.

On completion of the Perahera custodian lead a procession of Nilames, and others to the President’s Pavilion with a formal letter to the President that the successful completion of the annual perahera.