Useful Guide to Kandy Perahera

As per the religious and social life of Sri Lanka, the Kandy Perahera is the most dazzling festival. Traditionally, this celebration is in memory of the Devas against the Asuras, and takes place on the –day after the Esala full moon in the month of July every year. The Kandy festival began as one celebrating the Gods and is now incorporated with the sacred Tooth Relic.

This awe-inspiring procession has for years attracted religious devotees from around the world, along with tourists and locals alike. Visitors from Germany, United Kingdom, Australia, India, China, Singapore, the United States and many more countries around the world travel to Sri Lanka during the Kandy Perahera and are amazed at the way this grand procession takes place; the wonderful colors, lights, costumes, performances and music put together creates an aroma of thrill and excitement. If you are in Sri Lanka during the months of July and August, be sure to catch at least a glimpse of this magical Kandy Festival.

1. The ceremonies

• The Kandy Perahera begins with Kap Tree Planting ceremony, during which parts of a Jak Tree are planted in the four Devales.
• The Kumbal Perahera ceremony is the first five nights of the Kandy Festival where small scale performances are carried out.
• The Randholi Perahera ceremony is the next five nights of the Kandy Perahera and is performed in much larger scale. Participants include drummers, dancers, stilt walkers, whip crackers, people carrying banners, swinging pots, and much more.
• The water cutting ceremony marks the final day of the perahera. During this ceremony, a priest heads out to the Mahaweli river and ‘cuts’ the water with a sword.

2. The performances

For someone who is experiencing the Kandy festival of the Esala Perahera for the first time, they are sure to be awed. Below is the main order of the performances at the Kandy Perahera.

• Leading the way are the Whip Crackers who announce the approach of the Perahera by cracking their whips. They move in a circular motion wielding massive snake-like whips. The art of doing this is not as easy as the onlooker may imagine.
• Next come the flag bearers walking in single file carrying flags of different Temples and Provinces.
• Following the flag bearers are the Kandyan chiefs walking with pride and dignity in traditional white Kandyan court dresses.
• The Peramunerala comes next. This is the official who rides on the first elephant.
• Then the drummers come in playing to martial music on a wide range of drums. The rhythm of the sound along with the coordinated movement of the drummers vivifies the whole procession.
• The Gajanayaka Nilame is the next official on an elephant. He also carries a silver goad as the symbol of his authority.
• Next in the Perahera is the Kariyakorale. This official is responsible for all the ceremonies connected to the Kandy Perahera. Alongside him are minor temple officials, drummers and dancers.
• The Maligawa Tusker is the highlight of the procession. This elephant is exclusively decorated in cloth and lights because it carries the golden casket containing the Sacred Relics. Over this Tusker, a canopy is held and a white cloth is spread on its path for it to walk on.
• Following the Tusker are two lines of Kandyan dancers facing each other on either side of the road. Drummers are in the center of these dancers and the combination of the two makes a splendid sight.
• At the end of the entourage walks the Diyawadana Nilame in absolute oriental splendour. Alongside him are lance bearers, sunshade bearers, umbrella bearers and minor temple headmen.

Musicians, drummers, fireball dancers, fire breathers, jugglers, stilt walkers and many more talented people from throughout the country get together at the Kandy festival to be a part of this grand procession.

3. Kandy Perahera route

The Kandy Perahera begins from the Temple of the Tooth and goes along Dalada Veediya in Kandy. Once it reaches the clock tower, it turns north and returns through the D.S. Senanayake Veediya. This is the most common route followed by the Kandy Perahera. Sometimes different routes are taken on different days and with each passing day, the routes get longer. The official website of the Kandy Perahera will publish routes of the Kandy Perahera festival every year.

4. The timings

The starting time of every night’s Perahera depends on the auspicious time of the Temple – Sri Dalada Maligawa. The time usually varies from anywhere between 6.00 pm to 8.30 pm. Those interested in viewing the Perahera are requested to take their seats by 5.00 pm. Once you have taken your seat, don’t expect to be able to get out until the Perahera is over. The duration of the Perahera increases with each passing day and can vary from 3-6 hours. The last Perahera is carried out during the day and that begins at around 3.00 pm.

The dates of the Kandy Perahera are also not fixed every year. It usually begins after the full moon in the month of July. For exact dates, stay tuned to the official website of the Perahera as the month of July gets nearer.

5. The audience

The Kandy Festival is a much spoken about one and many tourists plan their holidays to Sri Lanka during this time of the year so that they can get a glimpse of the gala Perahera. The official website of the Kandy Perahera has the option of purchasing viewing seats at different hotel balconies, building corridors and so on from which a good view of the procession is possible. Book your seats in advance in order to avoid disappointment. It is always good to have a comfortable seat reserved rather than standing on the roadside for hours while the procession passes by. Be sure to have some eatables to keep you occupied throughout the procession because if you move from your seat, consider it occupied by another by the time you come back.

When the elephant bearing the golden casket passes by, all audiences are expected to stand as a mark of respect. At the end of each day’s procession, the Kandy Perahera reports to the president who awaits the arrival of the Perahera officials at his house.

Our team at Sri Lanka Holiday Ideas would be thrilled to plan a tour package for you with the inclusion of the Kandy Perahera in your itinerary, along with the other places to visit in Sri Lanka. By including a few nights in Kandy during your tour, we will arrange for top notch viewing seats for the Perahera and we can also show you around the other important places to visit in Kandy during your stay. Simply get in touch with us with your requirements and we will do the needful in planning your holiday.

Find out more about Kandy Perahera 2017.

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