Kandy Esala Perahera

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")