This year’s Kandy Esala Perahera Festival will commence on July 25 with the traditional Kap Situweema (planting of the ceremonial jak tree branch) at the four main devalayas – (Natha, Vishnu, Kataragama, and Pattini) according to Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela.
The ritual will be held facing the north at exactly 6:05 am on July 25.
Diyawadana Nilame Dela made this announcement during a discussion held on Thursday (19) at the Ran Avuda Mandapa Chamber of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa). The meeting was convened to finalise the dates of the street processions and related organisational arrangements.
Following five days of Devale Peraheras (inhouse processions), the first Kumbal Perahera will parade the streets on July 30.
The Kumbal Perahera will continue from July 30 to August 3, followed by the first Randoli Perahera on August 4, the Diyawadana Nilame said.
The final grand Randoli Perahera will take place on Nikini Poya, which falls on August 8.
After the conclusion of the final Randoli Perahera, the processions from the four devalayas will proceed to the Getambe Ferry for the traditional Diya Kapeema (water-cutting ceremony).
The festival will officially conclude with the Day Perahera on August 9, after the water-cutting ritual, the Diyawadana Nilame said.
The official Perahera Sandeshaya (message of completion), marking the successful conclusion of the ancient ritualistic procession, will be presented to the President at the President’s House in Kandy on August 9 afternoon.
Thereafter, certificates of merit will be awarded by the President to the outstanding artistes who contributed their talents to this year’s Perahera.
Senior Superintendent of Police for the Kandy Division, Anuruddha Bandaranayake stated that 6,000 Police officers will be deployed to ensure security throughout the festival period.
Among those present at the discussion were Chief Basnayake Nilames of the devalayas: S.W. Bandaranayake (Natha Devalaya), Mahen Rathwatte (Vishnu Devalaya), Daminda Udurawana (Kataragama Devalaya), and Hemantha Bandara (Pattini Devalaya); Central Province Chief Secretary Ajith Premasinghe; Kandy District Secretary Indika Udawatta; and Kandy Municipal Commissioner Indika Abeysinghe, along with several other officials.
