How many days does perahera Sri Lanka festival last?
The Esala Perahera is considered one of the most important Buddhist religious pageants in the world. It is held for 9 days in July and August every year in Kandy by the Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic), Sri Lanka.
What is the month that Dalada perahera is held in every year?
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. This historical procession is held annually to pay homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic of Buddha, which is housed at the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy.
How many days do you need in Esala Perahera?
The Esala Perahera, the annual 10-day torchlight parade of dancers and drummers, dignitaries, and ornately decorated elephants, commemorates the sacred tooth; it is now one of the better-known festivals in Asia, and it may be the largest Buddhist celebration in the world.
Where is perahera celebrated?
Kandy
The Kandy Esala Perahera is one of the most famous religious festivals in Sri Lanka, taking place every year in the city of Kandy, high in the hills. The festival occurs during the full-moon month of Esala, which coincides with July or August on our calendar.
What is perahera called in English?
procession
Sinhalese term meaning ‘parade’ or ‘procession’. The best known perahera is the Esala Perahera held in Kandy at the time of the full moon of the months of July/August. See also Duruthu perahera.
Why is Kandy famous?
Known as a pilgrimage destination for the Temple of the Tooth Relic (a sacred tooth of the Buddha), a listed UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kandy is a sacred city, due to the importance and spiritual significance of this temple.
Why is perahera celebrated?
The Esala Perahera in Kandy is celebrated to honour the Sacred Tooth Relic and the four ‘guardian’ Gods Natha, Vishnu, Kataragama and Goddess Pattini. This ritual is performed by carrying the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha through the streets of the Kandy city which is done with exceptional panache.
How old is Kandy?
Situated on a central plateau, the sacred city of Kandy is the second largest city in Sri Lanka. Kandy rose to prominence in 1470 when it became the capital of the island nation. To accommodate the needs of the newly resident royal family and nobles, a “Medieval Grid City” was laid out next to the sacred temple area.
Is Kandy Sri Lanka safe?
The Sri Lankan Tourism Promotion Bureau reports that all activities including tourism have returned to a normal state and Kandy, along with other parts of the country are safe for tourists to visit. Government authorities have announced that full security will also be in place.
Who goes first in perahera?
The order of the procession of Kandy Perahera By 8pm, the Maligawa Perahera or the procession of the Sacred Temple of the Tooth takes the lead and are joined by the processions of the four Hindu shrines. The second procession is from the shrine dedicated to God Natha.
How Kandy got its name?
The English name Kandy, which originated during the colonial era, is derived from an anglicised version of the Sinhala Kanda Uda Rata (meaning the land on the mountain) or Kanda Uda Pas Rata (the five counties/countries on the mountain).
When is the Esala Perahera festival in Kandy?
The whole festival comes to an end with a water cutting ceremony at the Mahaweli River in Kandy. The Esala Perahera Fest in Kandy is celebrated every year in July or August. This year, the tentative dates for the 10-day festival are 14th August to 24th August.
When does the Perahera start in Kandy Sri Lanka?
Every year around July/August in Sri Lanka, in the picturesque hilly city of Kandy, majestic elephants walk the streets in gorgeous costumes, sparkling fairy lights decorate the city and beautiful costumed performers dazzle the eye everywhere you look. This means only one thing and that is that the Perahera has begun in Kandy.
Which is the procession of the tooth Perahera?
The Temple of the Tooth Perahera which is called Maligawa Perahera or the Procession of the Sacred Temple of the Tooth leads the way whilst carrying a replica of the sacred Tooth relic. The other four processions also carry their individual temples insignia. Each procession has a different performance depending on which god they are honouring.
What does the term Perahera mean in Sinhalese?
During every Esala (July or August), processions take to streets at night for 10 days. The Sinhalese term Perahera literally means a parade of musicians, dancers, drummers, and other performers. So, as part of the parade, well-dressed elephants and tuskers walk along the routes with the tooth relic in a casket.