The grand finale of the Kandy Esala Perahera, the final Randoli Maha Perahera, will parade through the streets of Kandy tonight (August 8), starting from the Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic) at 6:51 p.m.
The majestic procession will travel northward from the Maligawa, passing along Dalada Veediya, Yatinuwara Veediya, Kande Veediya, and D.S. Senanayake Veediya, before ascending Raja Veediya and returning to the temple. In the early hours of tomorrow (August 9) at 1:18 a.m., the Perahera, along with the four Devale processions of Natha, Vishnu, Kataragama, and Pattini, will ceremonially place the Sacred Relic Casket at the Gedige Viharaya.
At dawn, the four Devale Peraheras will perform the traditional water-cutting ceremony (Diya Kapeema) at Getambe Diya Kapana Thota, before arriving at the Gana Devale Kovil. The Dalada Maligawa Perahera will then depart from Gedige Viharaya at 2:16 p.m., proceeding along D.S. Senanayake Veediya to join the Devale processions near the Kandy Municipal Council junction.
The united Perahera will ascend Raja Veediya, perform three ceremonial circumambulations of the Maligawa Square, and conclude its sacred journey. The official closing ceremony will take place tomorrow at the Kandy President’s House, under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Following the daytime procession, Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela, along with the Basnayake Nilames of the four main Devales and affiliated rural shrines, will deliver the Perahera Sandeshaya — the traditional message marking the successful completion of this year’s festival — to the President, in accordance with centuries-old custom.
