Discover Esala Perahera Festival: Dates, Events & Travel Guide

The Esala Perahera (also known as the Kandy Esala Perahera or "Festival of the Tooth")  is one of the oldest and most spectacular Buddhist festivals in the world, held annually in Kandy, Sri Lanka, during July or August.

Esala Perahera is an annual 10-day Buddhist festival held in Kandy, honoring the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha, which is housed in the Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Tooth). It is a vibrant event featuring lavishly decorated Kandy Esala Perahera elephants, traditional dancers, drummers, and performers.

What is Kandy Esala Perahera?

The Kandy Esala Perahera is not just a parade; it's a centuries-old religious and cultural spectacle that captivates thousands of visitors and devotees every year. The Sinhalese term "Perahera" itself means a parade or procession of musicians, dancers, singers, acrobats, and various other performers, accompanied by a large number of caparisoned elephants.

Kandy Esala Perahera is known for its vibrant processions and rituals over ten nights

Why is Esala Perahera Celebrated?

The primary reason why Esala Perahera is celebrated is to pay homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha, which is enshrined at the Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic) in Kandy. This relic is believed to bring prosperity and rain, signifying the nation's spiritual and agricultural well-being.
The festival also seeks blessings from the four guardian deities: Natha, Vishnu, Kataragama, and Goddess Pattini. Historically, the Esala Perahera also encompasses ancient rituals performed to invoke blessings for timely rainfall and a bountiful harvest.

Kandy Esala Perahera History

The Kandy Esala Perahera's history is deeply rooted in Sri Lanka’s Buddhist and royal traditions.

The Sacred Tooth Relic was brought to Sri Lanka in the 4th century AD and became a symbol of legitimate rule.

The festival was formalized in the Kandyan Kingdom and continues under the stewardship of the Diyawadana Nilame, the chief lay custodian.

Kandy Esala Perahera is one of Asia’s oldest and most impressive festivals

What Happens During the Kandy Esala Perahera?

Over 10 nights, you’ll witness:

• Preliminary Rituals (Kap Situveema):  The festival begins with the Kap Situveema ceremony (cutting of a sanctified young jackfruit tree) symbolizing blessings for the people and the land. 
• Kumbal Perahera (First 5 nights): These are the initial processions, gaining in intensity each night.
• Randoli Perahera (Final 5 nights): These are the grandest nights, with the final Randoli Perahera on August 8 being the most spectacular. In the grand Randoli Perahera, the jewel-encrusted relic casket is paraded on the back of a richly adorned elephant through Kandy’s streets. 
• Day Perahera (Diya Kepeema): The festival concludes with the traditional "water-cutting ceremony" held at the Mahaweli River, a symbolic ritual to invoke blessings and prosperity for the year ahead, followed by a final day procession.

Through the Kandy Esala Perahera festival, each night showcases a spectacular procession filled with rituals, performances, and devotional acts

When is Esala Perahera?

The Esala Perahera festival is held annually during the lunar month of Esala (July or August). The exact Esala Perahera dates vary each year, as they are determined by the full moon (Poya Day) of the Esala month. The festival typically lasts for 10 consecutive nights, with the processions becoming progressively grander towards the end.

When is Esala Perahera 2025?

• Starts: July 30, 2025 (Esala Full Moon Poya Day)
• Ends: August 9, 2025 (Randoli Perahera finale)

Kandy Esala Perahera 2025: Dates & Schedule

EVENT	DATE
1st Kumbal Perahera	30st July 2025
2nd Kumbal Perahera	31st July 2025
03rd Kumbal Perahera	02th August 2025
04th Kumbal Perahera	02th August 2025
05th Kumbal Perahera	03th August 2025
01st Randoli Perahera	04th August 2025
02nd Randoli Perahera	05th August 2025
03rd Randoli Perahera	06th August 2025
04th Randoli Perahera	07th August 2025
Final Randoli Perahera (The Grand Randoli Procession)	08th August 2025
Diya Kapeema (The water cutting ceremony)	09th August 2025
Dahawal Perahera (The Day Procession)	09th August 2025

What to Expect at the Esala Perahera Festival

The Esala Perahera festival is a sensory feast, with nightly processions winding through Kandy’s streets, covering about 5 kilometers. Here’s what you’ll see:

Kandy Esala Perahera Elephants

A highlight of the festival, Kandy Esala Perahera elephants are adorned with ornate costumes, gold, and lights. The Maligawa Tusker, often a majestic elephant like Indi Raja, carries a golden casket with a replica of the Sacred Tooth Relic. Over 50 elephants participate, some from the Sri Dalada Maligawa, others from temples or tea plantations. For elephant owners, it’s an honor to have their animals involved, though concerns about animal welfare have sparked debate. Visitors are urged to avoid flash photography and respect the animals.

The elephants in the Kandy Esala Perahera carry the Sacred Tooth Relic and participate in the grand procession.

Traditional Performances

Expect whip-crackers, fire-dancers, Kandyan drummers, and peacock dancers in vibrant costumes. The processions include five segments: the Maligawa Perahera (led by the Tooth Relic) and four Devala Peraheras for the guardian deities. Each night builds in scale, with the final Randoli Perahera featuring hundreds of performers, creating a magical atmosphere.

Spiritual Significance

The festival is deeply spiritual, with rituals led by the Diyawadana Nilame, the chief custodian of the Temple of the Tooth. The Sacred Tooth Relic, revered as a living symbol of Buddha, is paraded to bless the nation with peace and prosperity. The Diya Kepeema water-cutting ceremony symbolizes purification.

The Kandy Esala Perahera symbolizes devotion, blessings, and unity for both the Buddhist community and the people of Sri Lanka

How to Experience the Festival?

Kandy Esala Perahera Tickets

Free Viewing

You can stand along the streets and watch the parade for free, but space fills up early in the evening.

Paid grandstand seats

• For better comfort and visibility, purchase Kandy Esala Perahera tickets through Kandy Temple or online via Sri Lanka Tourism, local tour agencies, or hotels.
• Prices range from $25 to $100+ depending on location and night
• VIP seats and balconies offer the best views
• Book early—especially for Randoli Perahera

The best viewpoints to enjoy Kandy Esala Perahera are along the Kandy streets, hilltops, or temple areas, where you can get an up-close view of the procession, elephants, and traditional dances

Best Viewing Spots

• In front of the Temple of the Tooth (main event)
• Along Dalada Veediya (street procession route)

Travel Tips for Visitors

• Location: Kandy, Central Province, Sri Lanka
• Getting There: Accessible by train, bus, or car from Colombo
• Accommodation: Book months in advance; many hotels offer festival packages
• Dress Code: Modest attire is recommended for temple visits
• Photography: Allowed, but be respectful during religious rituals

Kandy Esala Perahera is more than a festival—a profound cultural and spiritual journey, a living testament to Sri Lanka's enduring traditions. With dazzling processions, sacred rituals, and unmatched cultural energy, Esala Perahera is an experience that leaves a lasting impression on all who witness its magic.

Apply for a Sri Lanka visa and begin your journey to joy this festival this year!