Kandy Esala Perahera | Procession of Buddha's Tooth Relic
Esala Perahera is a historical festival that is conducted in July and August every year in honour of the sacred Tooth Relic of Buddha.
Kandy Esala Perahera | Procession of Buddha's Tooth Relic E sala Perahera (Sinhala: මහනුවර ඇසල පෙරහැර) is a historical festival that is conducted in July and August every year by the Temple of Tooth Relic (Dalada Maligawa) in Kandy, Sri Lanka. The procession is held in honour of the sacred Tooth Relic of Buddha, which is housed at the Temple of the Tooth Relic. The authorities of the Temple of the Tooth Relic and the four Devala s ( Natha , Vishnu , Kataragama and Pattini ) participate in conducting this religious event. Although this procession is called the Perahera of the Temple of the Tooth Relic, the Tooth Relic is not taken in the procession but the relics of the Buddha deposited in a casket are escorted. Perahera generally refers to a flamboyant street parade that is organized by a Buddhist temple. Although there are various Peraheras held in Sri Lanka, the Esala Perahera in Kandy is considered the greatest of all (Abeywardana, 2004). History Historical evidence is there to prove that the sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha was venerated by the p…
