Kandy Esala Perahera

A Perahera in Sri Lanka is a cultural and religious event. Among the many peraheras held annually in the island, the Kandy Esala Perahera or Dalada Perahera is the most important event of all in the Buddhist calendar as far as perahera events go. The perahera season is already underway, with the Katharagama annual festival already being held. 

Words - Lakmini Wijemanne

The Sacred Tooth Relic, housed in the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy, is, for the Buddhists of the country, the living Lord Buddha. For this reason, there are daily, weekly and annual poojas and rituals performed, to pay homage to this sacred relic. Among all the rituals and poojas, the annual perahera is considered as the most important cultural celebration.
The sacred Tooth Relic was brought to Sri Lanka  during the reign of King Kithsirimewan, by Prince Dunta and Princess Hemamala seeking protection of the tooth relic, in 310 AD, On arrival, it was first housed at the Isurumuniya Temple in Anuradhapura. To honour and worship the tooth relic,the king started the Dalada Perahera. Such was the splendor of the perahara, the countrymen were in awe and the king decreed that it be held annually. In the eyes of the countrymen, it was with the blessings of the Sacred Tooth Relic that the country got timely rains and good harvest - for Sri Lanka was predominantly an agriculture based country. Due to this belief, any king who reigned was not regarded as the true leader with sovereignty if he did not obtain the guardianship of the Sacred Tooth Relic. 

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