Kandy Esala Perahera 2012

Kandy Perahera

Location: Kandy, Sri Lanka
Period: July/August of each year; Year 2012: 19th July 2012 to 2nd August 2012 [Commences on Esala Full Moon Poya Day on the month of July and Concludes on Nikini Full Moon Poya Day on the month of August.]

Dates of the Kandy Esala Perahera 2012: From 19th July 2012 to 02nd August 2012

Date Event 2012-07-19 Kapsituvima (Planting of the 'Kapa') 2012-07-19 to 2012-07-22 Internal Perahera of Four Devales 2012-07-23 1st Kumbal Perahera 2012-07-24 2nd Kumbal Perahera 2012-07-25 3rd Kumbal Perahera 2012-07-26 4th Kumbal Perahera 2012-07-27 5th Kumbal Perahera 2012-07-28 1st Randoli Perahera 2012-07-29 2nd Randoli Perahera 2012-07-30 3rd Randoli Perahera 2012-07-31 4th Randoli Perahera 2012-08-01 5th Randoli Perahera 2012-08-02 Day Perahera (Water Cutting Ceremony "Diya Kepeema")

Kandy Perahera Tickets :

For advance purchase, transportation to Kandy and tours in Sri Lanka contact Lakpura Travels (Pvt.) Ltd., Moratuwa, Sri Lanka

The best time to see Kandy Esala Perahera: the last two nights
Festival: the grandest Buddhist procession of Sri Lanka
Significance: display of Sacred tooth Relic of Buddha

The timings of the Kandy Perahera are notified by no less than booming cannon fire, which is heard all over the city of Kandy.
1. The commencement of the festival
2. The placing of the golden casket upon the back of the tusker.
3. The commencement of the procession of Kandy Perahera
4. The completion of the Kandy Perahera

The order of the procession of Kandy Perahera

Kandy Perahera procession features five processions organized by the Maligawa Perahera or Perahera of the Sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic, the most venerated Buddhist temple of Sri Lanka and four shrines dedicated to Hindu Gods and a Goddess, i.e. the Shrine of God Natha, the Shrine of God Maha Vishnu, the Shrine of God Katharagama and the Shrine of Goddess Pattini. By 8pm, the Maligawa Perahera or the procession of Sacred Temple of the Tooth of the Buddhists takes the lead and joined by the processions of four Hindu shrines.

The second procession is from the shrine dedicated to God Natha. The 14th Century shrine that faces the Sri Dalada Maligawa or Temple of the Tooth is said to be the oldest building in Kandy.

The third is from the shrine dedicated to God Vishnu. Vishnu Devale also known as the Maha Devale is located close to the Natha Devale.

The fourth procession is from the Kataragama Devale dedicated to the God of Skanda, the deity of Kataragama. Kataragama shrine is located on Kottugodalle Street of Kandy. This procession includes Kavadi, the peacock dance, in which the pilgrim dancers carry semicircular wooden contraptions studded with peacock feathers on their shoulders.

The fifth and final procession is from the shine dedicated to goddess Pattini. Pattini shrine is located to the west of the Natha Devale.

Source - Click here