KANDY ESALA PERAHARA
This is a major cultural event for Buddhists in Sri Lanka.
Its history dates back to the time of King Vijaya Rajasinghe.
Although at that time this festival is based on worshiping Gods
It became a celebration for the Sacred Tooth Relic during the
reign of King Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe. This is a glorious
annual celebration event state-sponsored
and is held annually in August. Many local and foreign
tourists participate in the event.
The schedule for the
2019 Dalada Perehera is as follows.
Kap Situweema
This is a special ritual performed at the beginning of the procession,
where a special person called Mohottala makes an auspicious paper.
According to this ritual, four special jackfruit branches
(About one cubit in length) are blessed with sandalwood
water and various other offerings and taken to the four
shrines (These shrines are each dedicated to a specific
god namely Naatha, Vishnu, Kataragama, and Paththini)
and perform a special ritual
Naata Devalaya
Vishnu Devalaya
Katharagama Devalaya
Pattini Devalaya
