The glamorous Esala Perahera, which is 235 years old, is one
of the most grant events in Sri Lanka. Many locals and foreigners look forward
to witness this wonderful festival every year which is held during the Esala(August)
month, honoring the sacred tooth relic. The
famous British poet and novelist, D. H. Lawrence, describes the Perahera as a
"perpetual fire-laughing motion among the slow shuffle of elephants."
The Perahera is held according to rituals inherited from
traditions and generations known as ‘Esala-keliya'. Festival begins with the installation of
‘kapa' in each Devale. According to the ritual, for five days after
installation of kapa, the kapuralas of each devale take it around every evening
in a procession, accompanied by Traditional music and drumming and along with
flag and canopy bearers and spearmen, and the sacred emblem of the gods.' This
is known as the Devale Perahera.
Then begins the colorful Kumbal Perahera which carries many events
and this takes place around a few streets of Kandy city.This Kumbal Perahera is
held for 5 days and begins the Randoli.
The Randoli is a lengthened version of the famous Kumbal
Perahera. Palanquins of the four Devales which contains ornaments of the
goddess, pitcher, and the sword are added to the Randoli Perahera. On the full
moon day, this Perahera reassembles to go to Asgiriya temple, where the casket
is placed. Then Devale Peraheras return to their Devales.
Again, in the night, the Devale Peraheras make their way to
the water-cutting ceremony at the Getambe-thota. This is one of the most
important traditional events. After this ceremony the perahera returns to the
temple of tooth and this takes place during the day time.
Hope this brief introduction to Sri Lankans most grand
festival will be useful to all our readers and heartily invite you all to be
there to share the enlightenment of this festival.
The Perahera dates are shared below for the use of you all.
Kandy Esala Perahera dates 2013. From 2013-08-06 to 2013-08-20.
| Date | Event |
| 2013-08-06 | Kapsituvima (Planting of the 'Kapa') |
| 2013-08-06 to 2013-08-10 | Internal Perahera of Four Devales |
| 2013-08-11 | 1st Kumbal Perahera |
| 2013-08-12 | 2nd Kumbal Perahera |
| 2013-08-13 | 3rd Kumbal Perahera |
| 2013-08-14 | 4th Kumbal Perahera |
| 2013-08-15 | 5th Kumbal Perahera |
| 2013-08-16 | 1st Randoli Perahera |
| 2013-08-17 | 2nd Randoli Perahera |
| 2013-08-18 | 3rd Randoli Perahera |
| 2013-08-19 | 4th Randoli Perahera |
| 2013-08-20 | 5th Randoli Perahera |
| 2013-08-21 | Day Perahera (Water Cutting Ceremony "Diya Kepeema")
|
