Kandy Esala Perahera

The Esala Perahera in Kandy is celebrated to honour the Sacred Tooth Relic and the four ‘guardians deities’ Natha, Vishnu, Kataragama and Pattini. The Esala Perahera was originally a ritual invoking the blessings of the deities to ensure rainfall during the dry months. There are several stages or rituals of the Perahera that are observed. The first ritual is

Kap Situweema which is the planting of a Jak fruit tree, held to commence the rituals that start off the Perahera. The third stage of the Perahera is the Randoli symbolising the participation of the Royalty in the procession. The water-cutting ceremony marks the final stage of the Perahera rituals.

Tiyara Hingorani

Grade 2 B,

British School,

Colombo 8.