The annual Esala Perahera is a religious ceremony during which devotees pray for good rains to cultivate the crops. One of Buddhism’s most sacred relics, the Sacred Tooth is taken from the Temple of the Tooth and paraded through the streets. Following this, more festive events take centre stage and visitors can expect to see a lively cast of dancers.
If you book ahead you can reserve some of the few seats in the temporary viewing galleries which are put up in the streets and in some of the centrally located hotels. Tickets are scarce so reserve early if you want one! Similarly, hotels in Kandy get extremely busy too and early booking is advised. Some properties offer package deals for accommodation and procession tickets so contact us.Kandy Perahera is a once in a lifetime experience so see if you can co-ordinate your travel dates and fit in a visit. This dazzling spectacle never disappoints.Kandy on March 2nd, 1815 General Sir Robert Brownrigg Bert held a Perahara a mile long on May 3rd, 1815 which well nigh rivalled the processions of the Kandyan monarchs.This was especially the case in Perahara escorting the Sacred Tooth and Bowl Relics and those connected with the worship of the devales. These Perahara or religious pageants held at the capital were great national institutions patronised by the kings to display their power and magnificence to their subjects as much as to honour the Relics and worship the Gods.Immediately following the tuskers were the Mahanayaha Theras of Malwatte and Asgiriya accompanied by two young monks. Following them were one hundred and fifty monks according to their seniority of ordination moving in a single file. Behind them an Image of Lord Buddha was carried under a canopy followed by sixty men carrying sixty banners of different hue and colour.
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