The first Randoli Perahera of the Kandy Esala Festival is scheduled commence tonight (15) with the historic procession, one of the oldest and grandest festivals in Sri Lanka, parading the streets of Kandy.
The first Randoli Perahera will parade the streets for five days until August 19.
The Sri Dalada Esala Perahera of the Scared Temple of the Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa) in Kandy with the first Kumbal Perahera parading the streets commenced on Saturday (10). The Kumbal Perahera was held for 5 days until August 14.
The Kandy Esala festival will draw to an end following the water-cutting ceremony at the Mahaweli River in Getambe on August 31.
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 a 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 measures are 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.
