Excursions & Activities
KANDY ESALA PERAHERA
The Kandy Esala Perehera Festival 2025
Scheduled Official Dates
| PERAHERA EVENT | DATE |
|---|---|
| 1st Kumbal Perahera | 30th July 2025 |
| 2nd Kumbal Perahera | 31st July 2025 |
| 3rd Kumbal Perahera | 1st August 2025 |
| 4th Kumbal Perahera | 2nd August 2025 |
| 5th Kumbal Perahera | 3rd August 2025 |
| 1st Randoli Perahera | 4th August 2025 |
| 2nd Randoli Perahera | 5th August 2025 |
| 3rd Randoli Perahera | 6th August 2025 |
| 4th Randoli Perahera | 7th August 2025 |
| Final Randoli Perahera (The Grand Randoli Procession) | 8th August 2025 |
| The water cutting ceremony (Diya Kapeema) | 9th August 2025 |
| Day Perahera | 9th August 2025 |
The event of great historical and cultural significance takes place annually in the charming hill capital of Sri Lanka in the Lunar month Esala (July/August) which is the month that commemorates the Buddha’s first teaching after attaining enlightenment.This event,known the world over as the ‘Kandy Esala Perahera’ , isn’t only a religious ritual but also a falk festival which provides an occasion for local artistes and multi radical populace to exhibit their reverence and devotion to the Enlightened one of the Buddha;and to gods and goddesses such as “Nata”,”Vishnu”,Kataragama” and “pattini”who with their divine blessings protect this Island,”The Pearl Of The Indian Ocean”. The Esala Perahera is held annually to propitiate the gods in order to assure timely rains for cultivation and this suggests that it is an integral part of the complex fertility cult prevalent among the peasants.
History of Kandy Esala Perahera
Ever since the day when The Sacred Tooth Relic Of The Lord Buddha was brought to Sri Lanka in the reign of king Kirthi Shri Meghavarna(303-331 A.D),it has been the custom to celebrate this great event with the highest esteem and reverence.There are several theories and interpretations regarding the origin of the pageant
- The Esala Festival celebrates the victory of The Suras(Gods)over the asuras(Demons).
- This annual festival commemorates king Gajabahu’s invasion of The Chola country.Gajabahu(174-196 A.D)when he heard of the invasion of Sri Lanka by The Cholas during his father’s regin, and the consequent taking away of 12000 Sinhalese captives in turn invaded chola country and took back sinhalalese, together with another 12000 chola’s in addition,The Golden Anklets Of The goddess “pattini”the sacred utensils of The Four Devales(Deistic Shrines)and The Bowl Relic Of The Lord Buddha.
- The month of Esala was chosen because it commemorate the birth of Vishnu.
- The general belief is that the pageant in Kandy commenced in the reign of king Kirthi Shri Rajasinha(1747-1781), because today it took from as it existed those days with the amalgamation of the four decals peraheras with Dalada Perahera(Pageant of the Temple Of Tooth Relic in Kandy).
The Pageant Begins
The Esala Perahera begins when ‘Nakat Mohottala'(Maligawa Atrologer)casts the time to give the most auspicious moment on The Amawaka(New Moon)day in the Month of Esala at which the “Kapa” should be planted.Accordingly the Kapuralas(Officiating priests)of the four devalas “Nata”,”Vishnu”,”Kataragama” and “Pattini” walk towards a Young Jack tree which hasn’t borne fruits,clear the ground round the tree and consecrate it with the smoke of burning incense, smearing with the paste of sandalwood and lightning lamps.Each is fixed on the appropriate place on the ground of the Four Devalas and cover them with shelters.These pieces are called “kapa”. It’s the symbol of Indra the God Of Rain.The Kapuralas carry the insignia of their deity for Five nights in succession round the”Kapa”.
Kumbal Perahera and the order of the procession of Kandy Perahera
On the sixth night,the perahera of the four devalas from at the “Deva Sanhida”(The gate of the Temple Of Tooth) in order of precedence.Dalada Perahera is in the lead to honor the Enlightened one of the Buddha,followed by Nata, the guardian of the city , held as the Buddha to be,Vishnu protector and Pattini, goddess of purity.These are called “Kumbal Peraheras” continue for five days.These days Perahara hold only once daily at night. When Perahara comes first one can hear the sound of drummers. Sound of whip crackers herald the coming of the Perahara. Then colorful flags and banner holders. In ancient days disaves were holding the flags of their respective province. Peramuna Rala rides the first Elephant carrying the Lekammitiya, the Ola record of Properties and services owed by the tenants of the Maligawa.Riding the second Elephant Is The Gajanayaka Nilame,chief of the royal Elephant’s stable; carrying the emblem of his office.Hewisi, Dawula, Tammattom, Drummers,Panteru,Udekki,Raban and likeli dancers accompang them.
Kariya Korala, the master of ceremonies walks next with the temple officials and dancers.
Now the Maligawa tusker carrying the Karanduwa (Reliquary) containing the sacred
Tooth Relic is preceded by dancers and Nagasinnam players. Two tuskers who carry attendants that bless his precious burden with showers of fragrant Jasmine. The lay custodian Of The Temple Of The Tooth Relic, Diyawadana Nilame appears with Vidanes: and then Kandyan Ves dancers.
Then Nata, Vishnu, Kataragama and Pattini Devale Peraharas proceed with the Devale.
Elephant carrying Ran-Auda with gaily decorated Elephants, and Basnayaka Nilame, the lay custodium.
Randoli Perahera
After five nights of the Kumbal Perahera sixth day the Randoli Perahara begins.Randoli refers to palanquins on which the Queens of the ruling Kings traditionally travelled.Randoli or Palanquin, each is decorated to respective God or Goddesses and is furnished with a golden pitcher and a sword.
Diya Kepeema,Day Perahera and end of the pageant
At the end of this Perahara the relic casket of the pageant is deposited in the Adahana Maluwa Of Asgiri Vihara, and Randolis and Ran Audas are brought back to their respective Devalas. After an offering of Milk Rice and other Delicacie; The Devala Peraharas proceed toThe river at Gatambe with Randolis and Ran Audas. Then four Kapuralas walk into the river with water pitchers, empty the water that has collected last year, then cut the water with the sword and fill the pitcher with new water. Then return to Asgiri Vihara.There the Dalada Perahara await, their arrival to Perform the Dayal Perahara the final mid-day Perahara. after proceeding three times around Maligawa square ,at the auspicious moment,The Dalada Perahara enters Maligawa ,while Devala Peraharas enter their respective Devalas,bringing the Esala pageant to an end. Then The Diyawadana Nilames proceed immediately to President’s lodge in Kandy toreport the President, that the Perahara has been duly and satisfactorily conducted.
