The Kandy Esala Perahera
The Kandy Esala Perahera
The Kandy Esala Perahera
The Kandy Esala Perahera
The Kandy Esala Perahera
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The Most Historical Cultural procession of the World

Buddhist Literature unveils various pageants and festivities held in great honor of Lord Buddha. The perahara pageant concept became popular during the reign of Emperor Asoka of India. Kandy Perahara pageant really pageant which displays traditional customs. Majority of them been intermingled with the Buddhist and Hindu religious customs. Yet they display and highlight the great value of the Sinhala culture. Most of the customs have taken from on statues stated in the “Dantha Dhathu Charitha” or “Dalada Siritha” (a book on the customs pertaining on the sacred Tooth Relic) Written during the regime of Parakramabahu IV (1302-1326) of Kurunagala. The Dalada Siritha stated 38 statutes, on which a Perahara pageant should be conducted. Accordingly, the Shrine Room of the Sacred Tooth Relic should be cleaned at the auspicious hour. canopies should be tied, should be decorated beautifully with various silk clothes; The king team of ministers and general public of the city should make offering of rice, flowers and light oil lamps on the 7th day morning, the city should be decorated like the heaven on the same day evening, the chief priests of Uttara Mula Sect personnel of two castes Ganavesi and Kilin should move the Sacred Relic casked with utmost veneration. These rites were performed annually. Even today rights were performed accordingly.
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Esala Perahera History Timeline

200 B.C.
Old Ritual of Esala Perahera

A ritual called the Esala Perahera is performed to ask the gods for rain.

 
300 A.D.
Tooth Relic is Brought to Sri Lanka

The Sacred Tooth Relic of Buddha is transported from India to Sri Lanka 800 years after his Maha Parinirwanaya.

400 A.D.
‘Fa Hien’ Notes

The book of Chinese pilgrim ‘Fa Hien,’ who traveled to Sri Lanka in the fifth century A.D., contains the most illuminating account of the Esala Perehera.

 
1815
Custody of the Tooth Relic

When the Kandyan kingdom is conquered by the British, the Buddhist clergy is given custody of the Sacred Tooth Relic.

 

The Kandy Esala Perahera Festival 2023

Here are the Scheduled Dates

EVENT DATE

1st Kumbal Perahera

21st August 2023

2nd Kumbal Perahera

22nd August 2023

03rd Kumbal Perahera

23rd August 2023

04th Kumbal Perahera

24th August 2023

05th Kumbal Perahera

25th August 2023

01st Randoli Perahera

26th August 2023

02nd Randoli Perahera

27th August 2023

03rd Randoli Perahera

28th August 2023

04th Randoli Perahera

29th August 2023

Final Randoli Perahera (The Grand Randoli Procession

30th August 2023

The water cutting ceremony ( Diya Kapeema)

31st August 2023

Day Perahera

31st  August 2023

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