Esala Perahera festival
Culture

Esala Perahera festival

Robert Harding

The Buddhist festival Esala Perahera takes place this year from 1-11th August in Kandy, Sri Lanka. Also known as the festival of the tooth, it celebrates the bringing of the Buddha’s tooth to Sri Lanka. Drumming, dancing and processions last 10 days, ending with a water cutting ceremony at the Mahaweli River.

Dancers perform during Esala Perahera. (Aurora Photos/Robert Harding)

Dancers perform during Esala Perahera, The festival of the tooth. The Buddist festival is a combination of a ritual asking the gods for rain and the bringing of the Buddha's tooth to Sri Lanka. In September 2011, two years after the end of civil war, emerg

The Maligawa Tusker elephant carries a replica of the golden relic casket. (eye ubiquitous/Robert Harding)

SRI LANKA Kandy The Esala Perahera honouring the sacred Buddhist tooth relic of Kandy. The Maligawa Tusker elephant carries a replica of the golden relic casket. Perahera means procession.

See more pictures of Esala Perahera here.

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