Events

Esala Perahera is the crowning glory of Kandy, the second largest city of Sri Lanka which is also one of the six World Heritage sites declared by UNESCO. The Esala Perahera conducted in the month of July and August in honour of the sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha was commenced in the 18th century during the reign of the king Kirthi Sri Rajasinghe (1747-1781).

It is believed that Esala Perahera dates back to the third century BC and is a ritual that requires the rain of the gods. It is believed that Dalada Perahera was in the fourth century AD, eight hundred years after the passing away of Lord Buddha, when the sacred tooth of the Buddha was brought from India to Sri Lanka. According to tradition, the Princess of the Tooth, Princess Hemalala, and Prince Dantha, marched to Sri Lanka.

After the Kingdom of Kandy fell into the UK in 1815, the custody of the relics was handed over to Maha Sanga (Buddhist clergy). In the absence of a king, a chief guardian named “Diyawadana Nilame” was appointed to handle the day-to-day administrative affairs related to relics and its care.

The impressive blending of traditional dancers, Kandyan drummers, whip-crackers, fireball acrobat and elephants in their elegant embroidered cloaks create a breathtaking visualization of Sri Lankan culture.