Parade, performances, decorated elephants: Sri Lanka’s Esala Perahera festival captivates Kandy

Large crowds gathered around Kandy’s historic Temple of the Tooth in Sri Lanka as the Esala Perahera Buddhist festival brought the city alive with a spectacular night-time procession featuring elaborately decorated elephants, traditional dancers, drummers and fire performers.The annual festival, held in honour of a relic believed to be one of the Buddha’s teeth, drew devotees and spectators who watched the colourful procession move through the streets of the central Sri Lankan city.Decorated elephants lead grand processionA procession of elephants adorned with intricate coverings and hundreds of lights formed one of the main attractions of the celebrations. The animals moved alongside performers carrying ceremonial flags and torches, creating a striking spectacle against the illuminated streets.The festival also featured traditional Kandyan dancers and drummers in elaborate costumes, whose performances added rhythm and colour to the procession. Fire performers further heightened the spectacle, displaying routines with flaming torches and other props.Ancient tradition remains part of Sri Lankan heritageThe Esala Perahera is considered a unique part of Sri Lankan heritage, combining Buddhist religious observances with centuries-old cultural traditions.At the heart of the celebrations is the Temple of the Tooth, one of Buddhism’s most revered sites. The sacred relic believed to be the Buddha’s tooth is traditionally associated with the festival, giving the annual procession deep religious significance for Buddhists.The celebrations also include ceremonial rituals and performances, including a traditional water-cutting ceremony in which a sword is used to strike the water three times.For the thousands who gathered along the route, the procession offered both a religious observance and a vivid display of Sri Lanka’s cultural traditions, with illuminated elephants, music, dance and fire transforming Kandy into a festival centre.Catch the latest World News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.