Kandy Esala Perahera
About This Special Offer
The Kandy Esala Perahera, also known as The Festival of the Tooth, is an awe-inspiring historical procession held annually to pay homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha. For ten consecutive nights, the ancient city of Kandy comes alive with hundreds of elaborately decorated elephants, thousands of traditional Kandyan dancers, skilled fire-breathers, whip-crackers, and rhythmic drummers. The procession grows grander each night, culminating in the Randoli Perahera, an unforgettable spectacle of light, sound, and deep spiritual reverence.
Highlights
- Witness the Maligawa Tusker carrying the Sacred Tooth Relic casket
- Watch thrilling fire dances and acrobatic whip-cracking performances
- See hundreds of illuminated, caparisoned elephants parading the streets
- Experience the vibrant energy of traditional Kandyan drumming
Itinerary
Temple Visit & Preparation
Visit the Temple of the Tooth to see daytime rituals before taking your VIP seats for the evening procession.
The Grand Randoli Perahera
Experience the spectacular final night procession, the grandest of all, featuring the maximum number of elephants and performers.
Cultural Context
Originating in the 3rd century BC, the Perahera is a ritual enacted to request the gods for rainfall for a bountiful harvest, intertwined with the veneration of the Buddha's Tooth Relic.