The Senkadagala Esala Perahera is a traditional Buddhist festival. It is held annually in Kandy. The Perahera takes place in the months of Esala and Nikini and is held for ten days. It includes more than fifty Elephants and tuskers, hundreds of drummers, dancers and various other cultural dances.
The Esala or Dalada Perahera is a ritual performed to ask the gods for rain.
There are two types of Perahera called the Kumbal Perahera and the Randoli Perahera. In the Dalada Perahera the first to come are the whip crackers. They are followed by then fire dancers, Buddhist flag bearers, dancers, drummers and Ves dance troupes Finally, the tusker carrying the Sacred Tooth Relic and the Diyawadana Nilame make their appearance. That is the end of the Maligawa Perahera. There are four Devales dedicated to the four guardian gods surrounding the Sri Dalada Maligawa. The gods are Natha, Vishnu, Katharagama and the goddess Paththini. The Dalada Perahera is followed by the Pereheras of the four Devales.
Many Sri Lankans and tourists come to see the Esala Perahera. During this period Kandy is very busy. We love to see the colourfully caparisoned elephants and tuskers. We can learn many cultural by watching the Esala Perahera. I think the Esala Perahera is a pageant that Sri Lanka can be proud of.
Viheli Dulanma Tennakoon
Grade 06
St.Joseph’s Girls School
Nugegoda