The Sri Dalada Esala Perahera of the Scared Temple of Tooth Relic in Kandy will commence with the first Kumbal Perahera parading the streets this evening (Aug 10).
The Kumbal Perahera is slated to be held until August 14, while the first Randoli Perahera will begin on 15th, and parade the streets for five days until August 19.
The Kandy Esala festival will draw to an end following the water-cutting ceremony at the Mahaweli River in Getambe on August 20.
This year’s Esala Festival will officially come to an end after the Nilames together with the Diyawadana Nilame of the Temple of Tooth Relic, Pradeep Nilanga Dela present the Sannasa (Scroll) to the President.
The ‘Kap Situweema’ ceremony of Kandy Esala Perahera was held in the morning of August 05, officially declaring the commencement of the procession and was followed by 5-day internal procession of ‘Satara Maha Dewalayas’.
As many as 40 elephants are scheduled to take part in this year’s Kandy Esala Perahera, Diyawadana Nilame of Kandy Pradeep Nilanga Dela said.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Police said that special security is in place and that 6,000 police officers have been deployed in Kandy city to ensure the safety of general public during the perahera season.
