The Esala Perahera, held annually in Kandy during the month of Esala (typically July or August), is one of the oldest and largest Buddhist festivals in the world. The procession honours the Sacred Tooth Relic enshrined in the Dalada Maligawa and has been conducted in its current form for over ten centuries. The main Perahera runs for ten consecutive nights, building in scale to the grand finale known as the Randoli Perahera, which typically involves up to 100 decorated elephants, Kandyan dancers, fire twirlers, whip crackers, drummers, and standard-bearers representing the four devale of Kandy.
The Esala Perahera draws hundreds of thousands of pilgrims and spectators to Kandy each year. The procession moves through the city-centre streets departing from and returning to the Dalada Maligawa complex. The golden casket representing the Sacred Tooth Relic is carried by the Maligawa Tusker â the most senior ceremonial elephant in Sri Lanka â under an ornate canopy. Reserved grandstand seats are available through official vendors. The date of the Randoli Perahera varies each year according to the Sinhalese lunar calendar; visitors planning to attend should confirm dates in advance.
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