The festival of the tooth is called esala perahera in sinhalese. Travel guide on the kandy festival of the tooth 2019. This grand festival held on month of august, at the cultural capital of sri lanka. Sri lanka and the kandy esala perahera high in the central mountain region of sri lanka, surrounded by lush tropical forests, lies the city of kandy.
Kandy esala perahera is famously known as the festival of the tooth. It is here that a relic of the great lord buddha is worshiped in the sri dalada maligawa temple of the sacred tooth relic. History of the kandy perahera old ceylon kandy perahera the kandy perahera originates with the arrival of prince dantaha and princess hemamala, the soninlaw and daughter of king guhasiva of kalinga in india to sri lanka during the reign of king kirthisiri meghawanna 305331 ad. Book kandy esala perahera seats online to view the grandest festival in south asia. Traditional dancers and elephants in kandy s esala perahera, or the festival of the tooth. Sri lanka and the kandy esala perahera discovering the spirit of. Esala perahera updated february 21, 2017 factmonster staff every july or august, thousands of sri lankans travel to the hill city of kandy to watch dancers, acrobats, drummers, whip crackers, flame throwers and more than 100 elegantly decorated elephants parade through the streets during esala perahera. The kandy esala perahera is the oldest and grandest buddhist festival in sri lanka, also known as the festival of the tooth and the festival held honer of relic of the tooth of the lord buddha. A flamboyant fusion of history, culture and religion. We are thinking about visiting sri lanka for our honeymoon in august 2018. All the kandy esala perahera festival means happiness and a fundamental religious encounter for the inhabitants of sri lanka.
The contents of the book and all photographs on this site have been registered and ed with the united states library of congress. The perahara pageant concept became popular during the reign of emperor asoka of india. Michael sarnacki, the author, is a professional photographer that has visited sri lanka many times. Kandy perahera the grand pageant of asia 2018 kandy.
Sri lanka and the kandy esala perahera discovering the spirit of buddha in the land of. The beautiful magnificent temple was built by late king vimaladharmasooriya 1st. Kandy esala perahera official web site for kandy perahera seat. The kandy esala perahera originated in the anuradhapura period as the victory period done by the prisoners who were brought by king gajaba as the revenge of taking 20,000 men as prisoners to india, the prisoners had to parade with their culture, religious practices showing to the people in the streets of anuradhapura to commemorate this event. The festival will culminate during the celebration of the water cut in the mahaweli river in getambe, a few kilometers away from the city of kandy. It is a combination of the dalada perahera, and the four devale peraheras dedicated to the guardian deities of the island. History of kandy perahera the esala is believed to be a fusion of two separate but interconnected peraheras processions the esala and dalada. Official web site for kandy perahera seat bookings 2020 book kandy esala perahera seats online with instant confirmation. As a unique symbol of buddhists, kandy esala perahera is an amazing pageant that represents the elegance of lord buddhas tooth. Esala perahara, 2010 kandy sri lanka licensed under cc by 2.
As per the contents in the book the kandy esala perahera authored by anuradha seneviratne. Temple of tooth, kandy perahera, elephant show, sri lanka kandy, kandy sri lanka hotels, visit kandy sri lanka and experience the countrys most celebrated cultural city, the capital of the central province encompassing the matale and nuwara eliya districts. The kandy perahera is an elegant procession or parade that flaunts the various talents of the kandyan people. The kandy esala perahera is held annually in july august on days fixed by the diyawadana nilame chief lay head or trustee of the dalada maligawa temple of the sacred tooth relic. This ritual is performed by carrying the sacred tooth relic of the buddha through the streets of the kandy city which is. The kandy esala perahara is a must see spectacle for any tourist visiting the island paradise of sri lanka. Sri dalada maligawa, kandy kandy esala perahera facebook.
It has been recorded that the perahera was held each year since the arrival of buddhas tooth relic to sri lanka. Nedungamuwa raja 2018 carrying the karanduwa at asala. Esala perahera the festival of the tooth of lord buddha is the grand festival of the month of august held in sri lanka. Charitha or dalada siritha a book on the customs pertaining on the sacred. John davy who spent four years in sri lanka from 1816 1820 has given in this work an account of the interior of ceylon 1969. The kandy esala perahera is a commemoration of the arrival of buddhas sacred tooth relic to sri lanka.
It is a very grand affair with elegant costumes and is celebrated either in july or august depending on the full moon poya day. In conclusion, the esala perahera, kandy perahera in kandy is believed to be a fusion of two separate but interconnected peraheras processions the esala and dalada. The kandy esala perahera is believed to be a fusion of two separate but interconnected perahera s the esala and dalada. Experience the kandy esala perahera sri lankas most. Like most festivals, there is no entry ticket for attending the kandy esala perahera or being a part of the procession. May 1, 2020 the kandy esala perahera is a colorful, lively and loud buddhist pageant steeped in tradition and history. Historical kandy esala perahara buddhist literature unveils various pageants and festivities held in great honor of lord buddha. The purpose of the kandy esala perahera procession is to beseech blessings of the gods to obtain rain for the cultivation of crops and to enrich the lands of the kingdom. The procession of the sacred tooth relic is one of the grandest cultural pageant in asia.
The esala perahera fest in kandy is celebrated every year in july or august. It is a buddhist festival consisting of dances and nicely decorated elephants. Kandy perahera 2020 seat booking official site kandy. Buddhist literature unveils various pageants and festivities held in great honour of lord buddha. The kandy esala perahera is held annually in july august on days fixed by the. Kandy perahera viewing gallery kandy esala perahera. But if youd like to be seated, you could book online tickets at. The diyawadana nilame adds a novel glamour to the procession by wearing a newly stitched costume. Sri dalada perahera is the most colorful festival in the kandy temple of the temple of the sacred tooth relic of lord buddha in sri lanka. Kandy esala perahara festival of the tooth tripazing. It used to be kept in an area called udeni present day odisha in india but when a war brought upon a dark time there, the local prince and princess, dantha and hemamala, fled the country to get the tooth relic to safety, hiding it in the princess hair. It is always advised to book one of the viewing stations as the streets become extremely crowded. It provides information not only of esala perahera but also of the history of the island sri lanka.
Kandy esala perahera, one of the most beautiful festivals in sri lanka. History of kandy esala perahera kandy esala perahera. This historical procession is held annually to pay homage to the sacred tooth. The esala perahera, which is thought to date back to the 3rd century bc, was a ritual enacted to request the gods for rainfall. It is sight to behold and definitely a mustvisit for those looking to get a first hand glimpse into the culture of sri lanka. Kandy perahera 2020 ticket booking official webiste. It is essential that you book a seat in a viewing gallery well in advance to avoid disappointment since it is impossible to secure a seat at a viewing gallery by just walking on the day of pereheraprocession. Kandy esala perahera 2020 festivals in sri lanka steuart. The esala perahera in kandy, we see today, dates back to the reign of kirti sri rajasinha 17471780. This year, the tentative dates for the 10day festival are 26th june to 6th july.
Viewing of kandy esala perahara sri lanka activities. The origins of kandy perahera is a hot topic of debate. The esala perahera which is thought to date back to the 3rd century bc, was a ritual enacted. It includes an original signed x19 inch print of the cover elephant. History the esala perahera in kandy is believed to be a fusion of two separate but i nterconnected peraheras processions the esala and dalada. His love of the country and understanding of the background of the kandy esala perahera festival is evident in the book. You will get a great view from queens hotel, kandy. If you are planning a trip to sri lanka during the month of july, make sure you have kandy and the esala perahara on your bucket list. This historical procession is held annually to pay homage to the sacred tooth relic of lord buddha, which is housed at the sri dalada maligawa in kandy. Davys description though lengthy is very fascinating. A booking and website by the temple of the tooth relic. Sri lanka and the kandy esala perahera this book is much more than a coffee table photo book. How to witness this great event, kandy esala perahera. The kandy esala perahera the sri dalada perahara procession of kandy also known as the festival of the tooth is a festival held in july and august in kandy, sri lanka.
Kandy perahara pageant really pageant which displays traditional customs. The exact history of kandy perahera is a story lost in the misty layers of history. Colonial style hotel right next to kandy dalada maligawa castle where the perahera starts. Diyawadana nilame also joins the pageant adding novel glamour to it. Visit kandy sri lanka and experience the countrys most celebrated. The perahara pagent concept became popular during the reign of emperor asoka of india. The kandy esala perahera is believed to be a unique combination of two different but interconnected processions the esala and dalada. Sri lanka and the kandy esala perahera discovering the spirit of buddha in the land of elephants this listing is for the limited edition slipcase version of the book. We asked our local experience manager, thushni, to give her insights into the history and background of this fantastic annual event. Esala is the name for a lunar month occurring in july or august. The temple of the tooth relic of lord buddha, sri dalada maligawa is in the centre of the city, the highest venerated religious place with steeped in cultural heritage attracting the highest respect of the buddhists as well as the other religions all over the world. Sri lanka and the kandy esala perahera discovering the. Happening in july or august in kandy, it has become a unique symbol of sri lanka. The kandy esala perahera lasts for ten days while various festivities can be witnessed right throughout.
In ralph pieris book sinhala samaaja sanwidhaanaya mahanuwara. Kandy perahera the kandy perahera sri lanka esela perahera. The esala perahera which is thought to date back to the 3rd century bc, was a ritual enacted to request the gods for rainfall. As kandy resounds with the sights and sounds of the esala perahera, kumudini hettiarachchi speaks to michael sarnacki of michigan whose love affair with kandy from the mid90s has resulted in a book on the story of the annual pageant. According to the buddhist literature, four tooth relics of lord buddha were left. Even from the lifetime of the buddha in the 6th century bc, the esala festival was held to commemorate the buddhas conception, his renunciation.
Exploring every facet of sri lankan culture and buddhist heritage, the esala perahera features. The esala perahera dates back to the 3 rd century bc when pagans would perform ceremonies to. The month of esala july, during which period this annual pageant is usually held, had been considered a month of celebrations and festivity, both among indians and sri lankans. The majority believe that it is a combination of two different yet interconnected perahas processions esala and dalada. We would hate to book our trip at the wrong time and miss the festival. History of kandy perahera the esala is believed to be a fusion of two separate but. The kandy perehera festival which takes place every year in kandy is a culmination of history, grandeur, customs and celebrations across the town. Esala perahera festival kandy all you need to know. The most revealing narration of the esala perehera is found in the book written by the chinese pilgrim.
The modern perahera dates back to the reign of the kandyan king kirthi sri rajasinghe 1747 1781 ad. Visit kandy sri lanka temple of tooth, kandy perahera. Kandy sri lanka lies in the midst of hills and tropical plantations. The kandy perahera or the esala perahera is one of sri lankas foremost religious celebrations. Book your tickets online for esala perahera festival, kandy. If you book in advance you should be able to get a. It is believed that one is in possession of the god sakra chief of all the gods, the second is owned by the country of gandhara now afganistan, the third is with the king of the naga tribe. I cannot seem to find the dates for the esala perahera festival for 2018.
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