The Kandy Esala Perahera is a vibrant and colorful festival that takes place annually in Kandy, Sri Lanka. The festival is centered around the Sacred Tooth Relic, a relic believed to be a tooth of the Buddha, and is celebrated with parades, traditional dances, and other cultural activities. While the festival is a major cultural event in Sri Lanka, it also holds a great spiritual significance for the people of the country.
The origins of the Kandy Esala Perahera can be traced back to the fourth century BCE, when the Buddha’s tooth was brought to Sri Lanka from India. The tooth became a powerful symbol of the Buddhist faith, and many kings throughout Sri Lanka’s history sought to possess it. Today, the Sacred Tooth Relic is housed in the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy, and the Kandy Esala Perahera is a way to honor and celebrate this important relic.
The festival begins with a ceremony called the Kapsituvima, where the chief lay custodian of the Temple of the Tooth brings the Sacred Tooth Relic to the parades. The relic is placed on a decorated elephant and paraded around the city for ten consecutive nights. Each night, the parade becomes more elaborate, with dozens of decorated elephants, dancers, and musicians taking part.
One of the highlights of the Kandy Esala Perahera is the fire-dancing ceremony. This is a traditional dance performed by young men who walk on hot coals, demonstrating their courage and devotion to the Buddha. The dancers also perform with flaming torches and other props, creating a mesmerizing spectacle.
Another important aspect of the festival is the drumming. The sound of the drums is said to cleanse the city of evil spirits and bring blessings to the people. The drummers play traditional Sri Lankan drums, including the gata bera, thammattama, and davula, creating a rhythmic and energetic sound that fills the streets of Kandy.
The Kandy Esala Perahera is not only a celebration of the Sacred Tooth Relic but also a way to honor the Buddhist faith and its teachings. The festival is a reminder to the people of Sri Lanka to live in harmony with one another and to practice compassion and kindness, as taught by the Buddha.
In addition to its spiritual significance, the Kandy Esala Perahera is also an important cultural event in Sri Lanka. The festival attracts thousands of tourists each year, who come to witness the colorful parades, traditional dances, and other cultural activities. The festival provides an opportunity for people from all over the world to experience the rich cultural heritage of Sri Lanka.
In conclusion, the Kandy Esala Perahera is a celebration of the Sacred Tooth Relic, the Buddhist faith, and the rich cultural heritage of Sri Lanka. The festival is a reminder to the people of Sri Lanka to live in harmony with one another and to practice compassion and kindness. For tourists, the festival provides an opportunity to witness a unique cultural event and to experience the vibrant and colorful culture of Sri Lanka.
