18/08/2026
The Kandy Esala Perahera is a parade held every year to honour the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha, which is kept at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa) in Kandy. The festival also continues an ancient tradition of seeking blessings for the country and its people, including prayers for timely rain, prosperity and a successful harvest.
The parade takes place over several nights, traditionally during July or August. The celebrations begin with religious rituals and gradually develop into magnificent processions through Kandy, featuring Kandyan dancers, drummers, whip crackers, fire performers, flag bearers and ceremonial elephants. The four historic temples dedicated to Natha, Vishnu, Kataragama and Pattini also participate.
The festival reaches its highlight with the grand Randoli Perahera, followed by the traditional water-cutting ceremony (Diya Kepeema), which marks the conclusion of the annual celebrations.
It is much more than a colourful parade—it is a centuries-old expression of Sri Lankan Buddhist faith, culture, tradition and heritage, passed from one generation to the next. 🇱🇰🐘✨
