Culture & Living Traditions
The Kandy Esala Perahera
Ten nights of drummers, dancers, fire performers and caparisoned tusker elephants through the streets of Kandy.
- Time needed
- About 4 hours
- Where
- Kandy
- When
- July, August
One of Asia’s great processions, held over ten nights each July or August around the Esala full moon, honouring the Sacred Tooth Relic.
Whip-crackers clear the route, then fire dancers, Kandyan drummers, and finally the Maligawa Tusker carrying a replica of the relic casket, under electric lights, walking on white cloth.
Seating along the route is booked well ahead and accommodation in Kandy sells out months in advance. If your dates are anywhere near it, say so early and we will build the trip around it.
The final night is the biggest, and the most crowded.