Kandy is one of the highly visited holiday destinations in Sri Lanka and you can see tourists out and about on most days of the year, but during the perahera season, literally, every Buddhist from all over Sri Lanka and the world come to Kandy, especially to the Dalada Maligawa.
Perahera | Img. Courtesy: [Ashan96, Perahera1, CC BY-SA 4.0]
When does it happen?
The Esala full moon falls during the first week of July and the Perahera will begin on the last weekend of July and end ten days after. Getting in touch with a few local travel firms, for example, the Connaissance de Ceylan will help you plan your trip in perfection.
Beginning
The sole motive of this full moon festival is to get the blessings from the deities, for a good harvest in the year ahead. Carrying the tooth relic of Buddha, 10 days of ancient rituals, royally decorated elephants, drummers, and dancers create a breathtaking procession that begins on the streets of Kandy.
Destinations
The Esala Perahera includes five Peraheras; five processions from Kandy leave to the Dalada Maligawa, Natha, Lord Vishnu and Katharagama respectively. Lord Vishnu, the Hindu god, is considered to be the Guardian of Sri Lanka and the Hindu goddess of chastity, Pathini, gets the fourth and fifth Perahera, for being the goddess who blesses wars and victories.
Catalina Forbes is a travel writer who bases her content on many thrilling escapades experienced across the world.