Heartfelt best wishes for the success of the Kandy Esala Perahera 2024, a distinguished national cultural festival set to commence on August 10th. This magnificent festival, steeped in centuries of pride, showcases the rich cultural identity of Sri Lanka to the world. Let us pass this legacy on to our children and educate them about its profound significance.
The ๐๐๐ง๐๐ฒ ๐๐ฌ๐๐ฅ๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ก๐๐ซ๐ is one of the oldest and grandest Buddhist festivals in Sri Lanka, held annually in the city of Kandy. This spectacular event, also known as the ๐
๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข๐ฏ๐๐ฅ ๐จ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐จ๐จ๐ญ๐ก, is celebrated in honor of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha, which is housed at the ๐๐ซ๐ข ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ ๐๐ฐ๐ (Temple of the Tooth) in Kandy.
๐ป๐๐ ๐ฒ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ฒ๐๐๐
๐ ๐ฌ๐๐๐๐ ๐ท๐๐๐๐๐๐๐
1. ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ข๐๐๐ฅ ๐๐ข๐ ๐ง๐ข๐๐ข๐๐๐ง๐๐: The festival dates back several centuries and is believed to have originated as a ritual to invoke the blessings of the gods for a good harvest and rainfall. Over time, it became associated with the veneration of the Sacred Tooth Relic, which is considered one of the most revered Buddhist relics.
2. ๐๐ซ๐จ๐๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ: The Esala Perahera involves a series of grand processions over several nights, leading up to the main Perahera night. The processions feature elaborately decorated elephants, traditional dancers, drummers, musicians, and torchbearers. The highlight is the majestic **Maligawa Tusker** (the lead elephant), which carries a replica of the Sacred Tooth Relic in a golden casket on its back.
3. ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐ฅ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐๐ฒ๐ฌ: The festival showcases the rich cultural heritage of Sri Lanka, with performances by Kandyan dancers, whip crackers, fire dancers, and various other traditional arts. The processions are accompanied by the beating of traditional drums and the blowing of conch shells, creating a mesmerizing atmosphere.
4. ๐๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ ๐ข๐จ๐ฎ๐ฌ ๐๐๐ฌ๐๐ซ๐ฏ๐๐ง๐๐: The Kandy Esala Perahera is deeply rooted in Buddhist traditions. Devotees and pilgrims from all over Sri Lanka and the world gather in Kandy to pay homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic and seek blessings. The event is also marked by rituals performed at the four ๐๐๐ฏ๐๐ฅ๐๐ฌ (shrines) dedicated to the guardian deities of Sri Lanka.
5. ๐๐ข๐ฆ๐ข๐ง๐ : The festival takes place during the month of ๐๐ฌ๐๐ฅ๐ (July/August) according to the lunar calendar, and lasts for about ten days. It culminates in the final Perahera night, followed by the ๐๐ข๐ฒ๐ ๐๐๐ฉ๐๐๐ฆ๐ (water-cutting) ceremony, a symbolic ritual performed in the Mahaweli River to conclude the festivities.
๐ช๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐
๐บ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฐ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐
The Kandy Esala Perahera is not only a religious event but also a significant cultural celebration that reflects Sri Lanka’s identity. It is a time when the people of Sri Lanka come together to honor their spiritual heritage and cultural traditions. The festival attracts thousands of visitors, including tourists, who come to witness this magnificent display of devotion, culture, and pageantry.
