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Esala Perahera Festival - The Esala Perahera in Kandy is one of the oldest and grandest of all Buddhist festivals in Sri Lanka, featuring dancers, jugglers, musicians, fire-breathers, & many more. This is held in Esala (July or August) which is the month that is believed to commemorate the first teaching given by the Buddha after he attained enlightenment. The Kandy Esala Perahera lasts for ten days while various festivities can be witnessed right throughout. The Sinhalese term
Perahera
means a parade of musicians, dancers, singers, acrobats and various other performers.
- Entry or Admission Fee included
- Private seat for Kandy Esala Perahara viewing
(Product Code: LK70060000)
Kumbal Procession
The Kumbal Procession commences on the sixth evening, lasting for a duration of five days. The initial ceremony involves the gathering of the Devale Procession in front of the Tooth Temple, where the sacraments are placed upon a dome-like structure, the ransivige, and are escorted by the Basnayake Nilames, the secular caretakers of the Devales. Performances by drummers and dancers mark the event.
The subsequent five nights are reserved for the “Devale Processions” that occur within the confines of the four Devales. Every evening the priest of each Devale conducts the ceremony carrying a pole, in the company of music, drummers, flag holders, canopy carriers, spearmen and the Ran Ayudha, the divine symbol of the Gods.
Important moments of the event are signalled by the sound of cannonball fire, audible all over Kandy. These include:
• The start of the Devale Procession
• The beginning of the Dalada Maligawa Procession
• The conclusion of the Procession
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
