The Kandy Esala Perahera is Sri Lanka’s grandest Buddhist cultural festival, held in July or August. Featuring traditional dancers, decorated elephants, and vibrant processions, it honors the Sacred Tooth Relic and transforms the streets of Kandy into a spectacular celebration.
What is Kandy Esala Perahera?
Kandy Esala Perahera or Pageant is a grand annual cultural festival held in the months of July / August annually to pay homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy Sri Lanka. This is the largest Buddhist cultural event with hundreds of dancers of different types / decorated Elephants and many more cultural events walking through the streets of Kandy City.
2024 Kandy Esala Perahare Schedule
Kumbal Perahera
10 August to 14 August 2024
Randholee Perahera
15 August – 18 August 2024
Final Randholee Perahera
19 August 2024
Dawal Perahera (Day)
20 August 2024
Kandy Esala Perahera
Thousands of people including tourists are gathered in Kandy to witness this annual grand festival in July or August. Kandy Esala Perahera is a centuries old event and practicing to date. This is event is purely managed by the “Diya Wadana Nilame” (Lay Custodian of The Sacred Tooth Relic Temple) together with other public / private institutes in Kandy.
Elephants from various parts of the island travel to Kandy and return back after the event. Until complete the event, they are staying near Sacred Tooth Relic Temple with careful protection. Some of them walk to Kandy from home town while some are travelling on a truck.
This is good cultural experience during your holiday in Sri Lanka which gives you good insight of the culture of Sri Lanka. If you are travelling in summer holidays, recommend witnessing this event but make sure to inform your travel agent to reserve a seat at Queens Hotel or any other possible place.
Further, if you are planning for a Buddhist pilgrimage tour in Sri Lanka, we recommend you to include this for your holiday itinerary Sri Lanka.