The Kandy Asala Perahara
History of the Perahara
The glittering Esala perahara,which is 235 years old,is one of the grandest events we have in Sri Lanka.Many locals and foreigners look forward to witness this wonderful festival every year.
The Esala Perahera in Kandy 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 of the Buddha was brought to Sri Lanka from India during the 4th Century AD.
The TOOTH RELIC was take in procession to Sri Lanka by Princess Hemamala & Prince Dantha.
Modern Perahera
The Modern Perahera dates back to the reign of the Kandyan King Kirthi Sri Rajasinghe (1747 – 1781 AD). During these times, the Tooth Relic was considered private property of the King and the public never got a chance to worship it. However, King Rajasinghe decreed that the Relic be taken in procession for the masses to see and venerate.
After the Kandyan Kingdom fell to the British in 1815, the custody of the Relic was handed over to the Maha Sanga (the Buddhist Clergy). In the absence of the king, a lay custodian called the "Diyawadana Nilame" was appointed to handle routine administrative matters.
This is held during the Asala month,in August,honoring the sacred tooth relic.Many foreigners who have been fascinated by the perahara have written notes about it.among them is the famous british poet and novelist.D.H.Lawrence who describe the perahara as a “ perpetual fire laughing motion among the slow shuffle of elephants”.
Fa-Hien,one of the famous Chinese monks who arrived in Sri Lanka on a pilgrimage in the fifth century A.D.also gives a full description about the perahara in his book ,fa-Hien Travel records “By the side of the king’s place is the Vihara of the Buddah’s Tooth ,several hundred feet high,brilliant with jewelers and ornamented with rare gems.Above the vihara is placed an upright pole on which is fixed a great Padmaraga (Ruby). The tooth of buddah was always brought forth in the middle of the third month.
Ten days in advance the king magnificently caparisoned a large elephant. who could speak distinctly,and the man went round it,beating a large drum,describing the life and the virtues of the Buddha and announcing to the public.”Be hold ten days after this ,Buddha’s tooth will be brought and taken to the Abheygiri Bihara .Let all,whether monks r laymen,who wish to amaze merit for themselves make the road smooth and in good condition,grandly adorn lanes and byways,and provide an abundant store of flowers and incense to be used as offerings to it.”
When this announcement was over the king placed for exhibition on both sides of the road.the 500 different bodily forms in which the buddah had appeared in his previous births according to the Jataka stories.All their figures were brightly colored and grandly executed .looking as if they were alive.After this ,the tooth of the Buddha was brought forth,and was carried along in the middle of the road. Everywhere on the way ,offerings were presented to it,and thus it arrived at the hall of the Buddha in the Abhayagiri Vihara.There the monks and the laity gathered in crowds.
burned incense,lighted lamps and performed all the prescribed services,day and night,without ceasing till 90 days.had been completed until the tooth was returned to the vihara.On poya days ,the doors of the vihara were opened ,and forms of ceremonial reverence were observed according to the rules.Even during the Kandyan era between 1739 and 1815 the Asala perahara was given much prominence,Four devale perahara ,which was dedicated to the four guardian deities,Natha,Vishnu,Katharagama and Paththini,was merged to the main perahara during the keerthi sri Rajasinghe era.
The Perahara is held according to some rituals coming down from traditions.They are knows as “Esala Keliya”This festival begins with the installation of “ kapa” in each Devale.According to the ritual for five days after installation of ‘kapa”,the kapuralas of each devale take it around every evening in a procession ,accompanied by music and drumming and along with flag and canopy bearers and spearmen,and the sacred emblem of the god’s .This is known as the devale perahara.
The Randoli perahara begins on the 5th day.This is a lengthened vertion of the famous Kumbal Perahara.Palanquins of the four four devales which contains ornaments of the goddess,pitcher, and the sword are added to the randoli perahara.On the full moon day ,This perahara reassembles to go to asgiriya temple,where the casket is placed.Then devale peraharas return to their devales.
Again in the night, the devale peraharas make their way to the water cutting site at the Getambetota.At the river,the “Kapuralas” of the devales, go in a decorated boat.to some distance in the river.
At this place each kapurala slashes the water with the scared sword and collects a pitcher full at the place where the sword touched the water.
This water will stored in their Devale for one year, and will be put back in to the river ,next year at a similar ceremony.
after seven days from the day perahara,the “waliyak natuma” ,a shortened form of “Kohomba kankariya” is performed at the Vishnu devalaya ,along with masked dancing. On the seventh day ,the asala festival will be declared as over.The people of the “balibat” caste,who are sorcerers and exorcists,were the dancers in the perahera during the days of our kings. It was a form of “Rajakariya” (duty) to the king.
This time the kandy asala perahara will be held in a grand style and will be a testament that sri lanka is ready for tourism after the peace!.
Dates of the Kandy Esala Perahara 2010
| Date | Event |
| 2010.08.10 | Kap situvima (Planning of the Kapa) |
| Aug 10-Aug 14 | Perahara of the four devalas |
| Aug 15 | 1st Kumbal Perahara |
| Aug 16 | 2nd Kumbal Perahara |
| Aug 17 | 3rd Kumbal Perahara |
| Aug 18 | 04th Kumbal Perahara |
| Aug 19 | 05th Kumbal Perahara |
| Aug 20 | 01st Randoli Perahara |
| Aug 21 | 2nd Randoli Perahara |
| Aug 22 | 3rd Randoli Perahara |
| Aug 23 | 4th Randoli Perahara |
| Aug 24 | 5th Randoli Perahara |
| Aug 25 | Main Perahara Day |
