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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
- Private seat to view Kandy Esala Perahara
(SKU: LK70011000)
Diya Kepeema and Day Perahera
Following the final Perahera, four processions from the four ‘devales’ make their way to the steppingstones of the Getambe Mahaveli River near Peradeniya. The main ‘kapuralas’ (priests) of the ‘devales’ proceed to wade into the river’s center. One of the ‘kapuralas’ forms a circle in the water using the tip of a ‘golden’ sword. Subsequently, the priests pour the water from the ‘golden ewer’ (ran kendiya) that they had filled at the same location the previous year, back into the river.
Then the quartet of Peraheras start their return journey to Kandy. At a time determined by astrological calculations to be propitious, they advance to the Adahana Maluwa, joining the Maligawa Perahera. Finally, the Maligawa Perahera makes its way into the Maligawa, and the devale Peraheras end at their respective temples, marking the conclusion of the annual Kandy Esala Pageant.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
