Esela Perahera
The annual Kandy Esela Perahera is often considered the island’s most spectacular
perahera (pageant). The celebration stretches over 10 days, where devotees pray
for rains to harvest the crop. This festival dates back hundreds of years (3rd century)
and is still celebrated with as much pomp as it did back then. The streets of Kandy
spark to life with the large procession of muscular fire and whip dancers, dazzling
traditional Kandyan dancers, hundreds of Bhuddist monks and the highlight of this
parade, the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha. The relic is placed in a golden casket
and paraded around the city of Kandy on top of an extravagantly adorned elephant’s
back. Hundreds of elephants dressed in sparkling bejeweled garb and Kandyan chieftains
dressed in traditional royal attire also join in the procession.
The Kandy Esela Perahera is undoubtedly Asia’s finest parades. The pomp and grandeur
is unmatched, with the religious and cultural significance of the festival marveling
all its spectators.
For more information please visit the link below:
www.sridaladamaligawa.com
