Esala Perahera

In ancient times the Tooth Relic was owned to the reign of the Kandyan King Kirthi Sri Rajasinghe.  However, King Rajasinghe decreed that the Tooth Relic can be taken in Esala Perahera for the gathering of public to venerate. 

Kandy Esala Perahera Pageant Procession is considered to be a union of Esala and Dalada but interconnected procession. It is very majestic with elegant costumes. It has become a unique symbol to Sri Lankan Culture which is holding on July or August in Kandy.

The Esala Perahera celebrated with the conception of ritual enacted to ask for the gods for rainwater. The Dalada Perahera is celebrated with commemorate of the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha which was brought to Sri Lanka from India during the 4th Century. The Tooth Relic which is the Sri Lanka's most important Buddhist Shrine was taking in pageant to Sri Lanka by Princess Hemamala & Prince Dantha.

Components of Esala Perahera

Kap Situveema Ceremony:

The Kandy Esala Perahera embarks on with the Kap Situveema. In this sacred young Jackfruit tree is cut and planted in the premises of each of the four Devales which are known as Natha, Vishnu, Katharagama and the goddess Pattini.

Devale Perahera:

For the next five nights the Devale Peraheras take place within the premises of the four Devales with the chief priest of each Devale. Governor priest of all Devales are taking the pole every evening along with music and drumming, flag and canopy bearers, spearman, Ran Ayudha  and sacred symbol of the Gods.

Kumbal Perahera:

On the sixth night the Kumbal Perahera begins and continues on for five days. Initially, the Devale Peraheras gather in front of the Temple of the Tooth with their logos placed on the ransivige with the Basnayake Nilames. The relic reliquary is placed inside the ransivige attached to the Maligawa Elephant. Then the Maligawa Perahera joins the awaiting Devale Peraheras and leads the procession.

Whip-crackers and fireball acrobats bright the path in accordance with the Buddhist flag holders. The person who is riding on the first elephant is Peramuna Rala. He is followed by Kandyan Drummers and Dancers. Then they are followed by elephants and other groups of musicians, dancers and flag holders.

A group of singers dressed in white heralds the arrival of the Maligawa Tusker carrying the Sacred Tooth Relic. Also the Diyawadana Nilame walks in traditional Kandyan-clothed brilliance after the tusker.

The second procession is from the Natha Devale. The third is from the Vishnu Devale also known as the Maha Devale. The fourth procession is from the Katharagama Devale. This procession includes Kavadi, the peacock dance in which the pilgrim-dances carry semicircular wooden contraptions studded with peacock feathers on their shoulders.

The fifth and final procession is from the Pattini Devale. This is the only procession that has women dances. The following important times are announced by the firing of cannonballs.

Randoli Perahera:

The Randoli Perahera begins after five nights of the Kumbal Perahera. Randoli refers to palanquin.

Diya Kepeema and the Day Perahera:

After additional five nights of the Randoli Perahera the procession ends with the Diya Kepeema Ceremony which is the water cutting ceremony at the Mahaweli River at Getambe. A Day Perahera is held to note the ceremony.