The Esala Perahera

The Esala Perahera in Kandy is one of the oldest and grandest of all Buddhist festivals, featuring dancers, jugglers, musicians, fire-breathers, and lavishly decorated elephants. This is held in the month of Esala (July or August) as to celebrate Buddha’s conceive and many years later his leaving of the family home. The Kandy Esala Perahera lasting for ten days. The Sinhalese term ‘perahera’ means a parade of musicians, singers, acrobats and various other performers accompanied by large number of caparisoned Tuskers and other elephants parading the streets in celebration of a religious event.

Kandy Esala Perahera 2015 – Event Schedule

      Event                                                                                                Date

Kap planting of the four devalas                                                      15^th of August

Dewala Perahera (Inside Dewala Procession)                                 15^th – 19^th of August

1^st Kumbal Perahera (Kumbal Procession)                                     20^th of August

2^nd Kumbal Perahera (Kumbal Procession)                                    21^th of August

3^rd Kumbal Perahera (Kumbal Procession)                                     22^th of August

4^th Kumbal Perahera (Kumbal Procession)                                    23^th of August

5^th Kumbal Perahera (Final Kumbal Procession)                           24^th of August

1^st Randoli Perahera (First Randoli Procession)                             25^th of August

2^nd Randoli Perahera (Second Randoli Procession)                       26^th of August

3^rd Randoli Perahera (Third Randoli Procession)                           27^th of August

4^th Randoli Perahera (Fourth Randoli Procession)                         28^th of August

Final Randoli Perahera (Final Randli Procession)                           29^th of August

Dawal Perahera (Day Procession)                                                 30^th of August