![Perahara2](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b2/Perahara2.jpg)
The Kandy Esala Perahera (the Sri Dalada Perahara procession of Kandy) also known as The Festival of the Tooth is a
festival
A festival is an event ordinarily celebrated by a community and centering on some characteristic aspect or aspects of that community and its religion or cultures. It is often marked as a local or national holiday, mela, or eid. A festival c ...
held in July and August in
Kandy
Kandy ( si, මහනුවර ''Mahanuwara'', ; ta, கண்டி Kandy, ) is a major city in Sri Lanka located in the Central Province. It was the last capital of the ancient kings' era of Sri Lanka. The city lies in the midst of hills ...
,
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka (, ; si, ශ්රී ලංකා, Śrī Laṅkā, translit-std=ISO (); ta, இலங்கை, Ilaṅkai, translit-std=ISO ()), formerly known as Ceylon and officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, is an ...
. This historical procession is held annually to pay homage to the
Sacred Tooth Relic
The relic of the tooth of Buddha (Pali ''danta dhātuya'') is venerated in Sri Lanka as a sacred cetiya relic of Lord Buddha, who is the founder of Buddhism, the fourth largest religion worldwide.
History The relic in India
According to Sri Lanka ...
of
Buddha
Siddhartha Gautama, most commonly referred to as the Buddha, was a śramaṇa, wandering ascetic and religious teacher who lived in South Asia during the 6th or 5th century BCE and founded Buddhism.
According to Buddhist tradition, he was ...
, which is housed at the
Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy. A unique symbol of Sri Lanka, the procession consists of traditional local dances such as fire dances and performances in whip-dance garments. The festival ends with the traditional ''Diya-kepeema'' ritual, a water cutting ceremony which is held at the
Mahaweli River
The Mahaweli River ( si, මහවැලි ගඟ, literally "Great Sandy River"; ta, மகாவலி ஆறு 'mahawali gangai'', is a long river, ranking as the longest river in Sri Lanka. It has a drainage basin of , the largest in the ...
at
Getambe, Kandy.
History
![Esala Perehera festival in 1885](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/18/Esala_Perehera_festival_in_1885.jpg)
The Esala is believed to be a fusion of two separate but interconnected "''Peraheras''" (Processions) – The ''
Esala'' and ''
Dalada''. The Esala Perahera, which is thought to date back to the 3rd century BC, was a ritual enacted to request the gods for rainfall. The Dalada Perahera is believed to have begun when the
Sacred Tooth Relic
The relic of the tooth of Buddha (Pali ''danta dhātuya'') is venerated in Sri Lanka as a sacred cetiya relic of Lord Buddha, who is the founder of Buddhism, the fourth largest religion worldwide.
History The relic in India
According to Sri Lanka ...
of
Lord Buddha
Siddhartha Gautama, most commonly referred to as the Buddha, was a wandering ascetic and religious teacher who lived in South Asia during the 6th or 5th century BCE and founded Buddhism.
According to Buddhist tradition, he was born in L ...
was brought to Sri Lanka from India during the 4th century CE, eight hundred years after the
passing away of the Buddha.
According to tradition, the Tooth Relic was taken in procession to Sri Lanka by Princess Hemamala & Prince Dantha.
It was also through the efforts of
Upali Thera
Upali Thera ( th, อุบาลี, ) was a Thai Theravada monk and founder of the Siam Nikaya order of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. He visited Kandy in 1753 and there performed '' upasampada'' (higher ordination, as distinct from samanera or novic ...
that the Kandy Esala Perahera came into being. This procession was originally focused on honour Brahminical deities, particularly those incorporated into
Sri Lankan Buddhism. Upali Thera believed this to be inappropriate in a Buddhist nation, and his influence led to the king declaring that "Henceforth gods and men are to follow the Buddha".
Modern Perahera
After the Kandyan Kingdom fell to the British in 1815, the custody of the Relic was handed over to the ''Maha Sangha'' (the
Buddhist Clergy). In the absence of the king, a chief lay custodian called the "''
Diyawadana Nilame''" was appointed to handle routine administrative matters concerning the relic and its care.
The Procession
The Kandy Esala Perahera begins with the ''Kap Situveema'' or ''Kappa'', in which a sanctified young
Jackfruit tree (Artocarpus integrifolia) is cut and planted on the premises of each of the four
Devales dedicated to the four guardian gods
Natha
Nath, also called Natha, are a Shaiva sub-tradition within Hinduism in India and Nepal. A medieval movement, it combined ideas from Buddhism, Shaivism and Yoga traditions in India.[Vishnu
Vishnu ( ; , ), also known as Narayana and Hari, is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. He is the supreme being within Vaishnavism, one of the major traditions within contemporary Hinduism.
Vishnu is known as "The Preserver" within t ...]
,
Katharagama and the goddess
Pattini
Pattini (, ,), is considered a guardian deity of Sri Lanka in Sri Lankan Buddhism and Sinhalese folklore. She is also worshipped by Sri Lankan Tamil Hindus by the name of '' Kannaki Amman''.
She is considered the patron goddess of fertility ...
. Traditionally it was meant to shower blessing on the King and the people.
The Kumbal Perahera
For the next five nights, the "''Devale Peraheras''" take place within the premises of the four Devales with the priest of each Devale taking the pole every evening, accompanied by music and drumming, flag and canopy bearers, spearman and the ''Ran Ayudha'' (gold Armaments), the sacred insignia of the Gods.
On the sixth night, the ''Kumbal Perahera'' begins and continues on for five days. Initially, the Devale Peraheras assemble in front of the
Temple of the Tooth
The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic or Sri Dalada Maligawa, ( si, ශ්රී දළදා මාළිගාව) is a Buddhist temple in Kandy, Sri Lanka. It is located in the royal palace complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy, which hou ...
, which is
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka (, ; si, ශ්රී ලංකා, Śrī Laṅkā, translit-std=ISO (); ta, இலங்கை, Ilaṅkai, translit-std=ISO ()), formerly known as Ceylon and officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, is an ...
's most important Buddhist Shrine and where the Buddha's
Sacred Tooth Relic
The relic of the tooth of Buddha (Pali ''danta dhātuya'') is venerated in Sri Lanka as a sacred cetiya relic of Lord Buddha, who is the founder of Buddhism, the fourth largest religion worldwide.
History The relic in India
According to Sri Lanka ...
has been kept since the 16th Century, with their insignias placed on the ''ransivige'' (a dome-like structure) accompanied by the Basnayake Nilames (the lay custodians of the Devales).
![Elephants of Kandy Esala Perahera (2)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/78/Elephants_of_Kandy_Esala_Perahera_%282%29.jpg)
The relic casket, which is a replica of the Tooth Relic, is placed inside the ransivige affixed to the Maligawa Elephant, the ''Maligawa Perahera'' joins the awaiting Devale Peraheras and leads the procession. Whip-crackers and fireball acrobats clear the path, followed by the Buddhist flag bearers. Then, riding on the first elephant is the official called ''Peramuna Rala'' (Front Official). He is followed by Kandyan Drummers and Dancers who enthral the crowd, and are themselves followed by
elephant
Elephants are the largest existing land animals. Three living species are currently recognised: the African bush elephant, the African forest elephant, and the Asian elephant. They are the only surviving members of the family Elephantidae an ...
s and other groups of musicians, dancers and flag bearers. A group of singers dressed in white heralds the arrival of the Maligawa Tusker carrying the
Sacred Tooth Relic
The relic of the tooth of Buddha (Pali ''danta dhātuya'') is venerated in Sri Lanka as a sacred cetiya relic of Lord Buddha, who is the founder of Buddhism, the fourth largest religion worldwide.
History The relic in India
According to Sri Lanka ...
. The
Diyawadana Nilame (traditionally required to do everything in his power to ensure rain in the correct season) walks in traditional Kandyan-clothed splendour after the tusker.
The second procession is from the Natha Devale, which faces the Sri Dalada Maligawa and is said to be the oldest building in
Kandy
Kandy ( si, මහනුවර ''Mahanuwara'', ; ta, கண்டி Kandy, ) is a major city in Sri Lanka located in the Central Province. It was the last capital of the ancient kings' era of Sri Lanka. The city lies in the midst of hills ...
, dating back to the 14th Century.
The third is from the Vishnu Devale (
Vishnu
Vishnu ( ; , ), also known as Narayana and Hari, is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. He is the supreme being within Vaishnavism, one of the major traditions within contemporary Hinduism.
Vishnu is known as "The Preserver" within t ...
being a Hindu god), also known as the Maha Devale. It is situated in front of the main gate of the Natha Devale.
![Esala Perahera (Procession) 2006, Kandy, Sri Lanka](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/50/Esala_Perahera_%28Procession%29_2006%2C_Kandy%2C_Sri_Lanka.jpg)
The fourth procession is from the Katharagama Devale (dedicated to the God of
Kataragama deviyo
Kataragama deviyo (also called: Skanda Kumara, Kartikeya, si, කතරගම දෙවියෝ) is a guardian deity of Sri Lanka. A popular deity who is considered to be very powerful, shrines dedicated to Kataragama deviyo are found in many p ...
, identified with the warrior god
Skanda) which is on Kottugodalle Vidiya (a street in
Kandy
Kandy ( si, මහනුවර ''Mahanuwara'', ; ta, கண்டி Kandy, ) is a major city in Sri Lanka located in the Central Province. It was the last capital of the ancient kings' era of Sri Lanka. The city lies in the midst of hills ...
). This procession includes
Kavadi
Kavadi Aattam (Tamil: காவடி ஆட்டம், Malayalam: കാവടിയാട്ടം) ("Burden Dance") is a ceremonial sacrifice and offering practiced by devotees during the worship of Murugan,Kent, Alexandra. ''Divinity and Di ...
, the peacock dance, in which the pilgrim dances carry semicircular wooden contraptions studded with peacock feathers on their shoulders.
The fifth and final procession is from the Pattini Devale (
Pattini
Pattini (, ,), is considered a guardian deity of Sri Lanka in Sri Lankan Buddhism and Sinhalese folklore. She is also worshipped by Sri Lankan Tamil Hindus by the name of '' Kannaki Amman''.
She is considered the patron goddess of fertility ...
being a goddess associated with the cure of infectious diseases and called upon in times of drought and famine), which is situated to the West of the Natha Devale. This is the only procession that has
women
A woman is an adult female human. Prior to adulthood, a female human is referred to as a girl (a female child or Adolescence, adolescent). The plural ''women'' is sometimes used in certain phrases such as "women's rights" to denote female hum ...
dances.
The following important times are announced by the firing of cannonballs, which can be heard all across
Kandy
Kandy ( si, මහනුවර ''Mahanuwara'', ; ta, கண்டி Kandy, ) is a major city in Sri Lanka located in the Central Province. It was the last capital of the ancient kings' era of Sri Lanka. The city lies in the midst of hills ...
.
#The commencement of the Devale Peraheras
#The placing of the casket on the tusker back
#The commencement of the Dalada Perahera
#The completion of the Perahera
The Randoli Perahera
The ''Randoli Perahera'' begins after five nights of the Kumbal Perahera. Randoli refers to palanquins on which the Queens of the ruling Kings traditionally travelled.
2018 Kandy Esala Maha Perahera (Randoli Perahera) was held on 25 August 2018, the full moon poya day with the participation of hundreds thousands of people.
Diya Kepeema and the Day Perahera
After a further five nights of the Randoli Perahera, the pageant ends with the ''Diya Kepeema'', which is the water cutting ceremony at the
Mahaweli River
The Mahaweli River ( si, මහවැලි ගඟ, literally "Great Sandy River"; ta, மகாவலி ஆறு 'mahawali gangai'', is a long river, ranking as the longest river in Sri Lanka. It has a drainage basin of , the largest in the ...
at
Getambe, a town a few miles from Kandy. A Day Perahera is held to mark the ceremony.
Organization of the Perahera
The rituals connected with the Tooth Relic are conducted by Monks of the Malwatte Chapter and Asgiriya Chapters of the
Buddhist clergy in
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka (, ; si, ශ්රී ලංකා, Śrī Laṅkā, translit-std=ISO (); ta, இலங்கை, Ilaṅkai, translit-std=ISO ()), formerly known as Ceylon and officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, is an ...
. It is the duty of the
Diyawadana Nilame to organize the Perahera and thus he summons a large number of officials of the
Temple of the Tooth
The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic or Sri Dalada Maligawa, ( si, ශ්රී දළදා මාළිගාව) is a Buddhist temple in Kandy, Sri Lanka. It is located in the royal palace complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy, which hou ...
and entrusts them with various ceremonial duties connected with the conducting of the Perahera. He first gets the auspicious time from the ''Nekath Mohottala'', the advisor on
astrological
Astrology is a range of divinatory practices, recognized as pseudoscientific since the 18th century, that claim to discern information about human affairs and terrestrial events by studying the apparent positions of celestial objects. Dif ...
matters. The task of organising the different types of drummers is handed over to the four officials known as the ''Panikka Mura Baarakaruwo''.
The Maligawa officials also meet the owners of the
elephant
Elephants are the largest existing land animals. Three living species are currently recognised: the African bush elephant, the African forest elephant, and the Asian elephant. They are the only surviving members of the family Elephantidae an ...
s due to take part in the Perahera (most elephants are privately owned). The dance troupes are given time to prepare. The Basnayake Nilames (the lay custodians of the Devales) are then told to organise their processions.
Perahera Sandeshaya
![Diyawadana Nilame H](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/37/Diyawadana_Nilame_H.B_Udurawana_%26_Most_Venerable_Sirimalwatte_Ananda_Mahanayake_Thero.jpg)
On completion of the Perahera, the Diyawadana Nilame would lead a procession consisting of the Nilames of Sathara Maha Devalas and the Nilames of rural devalas to the
President's Pavilion
President's Pavilion is an official residence of the President of Sri Lanka, located in Kandy, Sri Lanka. This was formerly the Governor's Pavilion until 1972 when Sri Lanka became a republic. It is located close to the sacred Temple of the Toot ...
carrying a sannasa (formal letter) known as the Perahera Sandeshaya to the
President
President most commonly refers to:
*President (corporate title)
*President (education), a leader of a college or university
*President (government title)
President may also refer to:
Automobiles
* Nissan President, a 1966–2010 Japanese ful ...
stating the successful completion of the annual Esala Perahera. The President would meet and receive the sannasa at the entrance to the President's Pavilion.
Notable Sacred Casket Bearer Tuskers
The following are some of the notable tusker elephants who participated as the main casket bearer of the Kandy Esala perehera festival.
*
Raja
''Raja'' (; from , IAST ') is a royal title used for South Asian monarchs. The title is equivalent to king or princely ruler in South Asia and Southeast Asia.
The title has a long history in South Asia and Southeast Asia, being attested f ...
(රාජා හස්තියා)
*
Heiyantuduwa Raja
Heiyantuduwa Raja ( Sinhala:හෙයියන්තුඩුවේ රාජා)(1924-November 6 2002) was a Sri Lankan elephant, which carried the Relic of the tooth of the Buddha casket in the Dalada Perahera for 11 years after the demise o ...
(හෙයියන්තුඩුවේ රාජා)
*
Millangoda Raja
Millangoda Raja (1938-30 July 2011: si, මිල්ලන්ගොඩ රාජා), also known as Millangoda tusker, was a Sri Lankan elephant. Over 9 feet tall and with 7 and a half foot long tusks, he was (wrongly) considered the longest tu ...
(මිල්ලන්ගොඩ රාජා )
*
Nadungamuwa Raja (නැදුම්ගමුවේ රාජා)
Some other tusker elephants participated as the main casket bearer of the Kandy Esala perehera festival from time to time.
* Saman Dewalaye Raja / Vijayadantha (සමන් රාජා / විජයදන්ත)
* Vaavaladeniye Raja (වෑවලදෙනියේ රාජා)
* Gangaramaye nawam Raja /Ruwan Raja (ගංගාරාමයේ නවම් රාජා)
* Bellanvila Raja (බෙල්ලන්විල රාජා)
* Jaya Raja (ජය රාජා)
* Katharagama Vasana (කතරගම වාසනා)
* Indi raja ( ඉන්දි රාජා)
tusker elephants who participated as the main casket bearer of the Kandy Esala perehera festival in deep history.
* Eirawana(ඵෙරාවණ) -KIng 5 Kithsiri Mewan era
* Lewke valavve Atha (ලෙව්කේ වළව්වේ ඇතා)
* Mathalee Vaagodapala valavve Atta (මාතලේ වෑගොඩපොළ වලව්වේ ඇතා)
* Paanabokka valavve Atha/Dala Kota (පානබොක්කෙ වළව්වේ ඇතා/ දළ කොටා)
* Mahayyiyawa ratvatte valavve Gomara Atha (මහයියාවේ රත්වත්තේ වලව්වේ ගෝමර ඇතා)
* Idampitiye Atha (ඉඩම්පිටියේ ඇතා)
See also
*
Cetiya
upright=1.25, Phra Pathom Chedi, one of the biggest Chedis in Thailand; in Thai, the term Chedi (cetiya) is used interchangeably with the term Stupa
Cetiya, "reminders" or "memorials" (Sanskrit ''caitya''), are objects and places used by Buddhi ...
*
Relics associated with Buddha
According to the ''Mahāparinibbāṇa Sutta'' (Sutra, Sutta 16 of the ''Dīgha Nikāya''), after attaining ''parinirvana'', the body of Gautama Buddha, Buddha was Cremation, cremated and the ashes divided among his Householder (Buddhism), lay fo ...
*
Diyawadana Nilame, Sri Dalada Maligawa, Kandy
* ''
''
References
{{coord missing, Sri Lanka
Buddhist festivals in Sri Lanka
Kandy
Tourist attractions in Central Province, Sri Lanka
Annual events in Kandy