August 19, Colombo (LNW): The final Randoli Maha Perahera of the Esala Perahera festival in Kandy is set to take place today (19), marking the climax of one of Sri Lanka’s most revered cultural and religious events.
The following morning, the traditional water-cutting ceremony will be held at Getambe, symbolically bringing the festivities to a close.
The Esala Perahera will formally conclude with the noon parade on August 20.
Following the grand procession, the Diyawadana Nilame, accompanied by the Nilames of the Sathara Maha Devalayas and other rural devalayas, will lead a ceremonial procession to the President’s House.
There, they will present the Perahera Sandeshaya, a formal letter announcing the successful completion of the annual event, to the President.
The 2024 Esala Perahera began with the ‘Kap Situweema’ ceremony on August 5, marking the start of this centuries-old tradition at the Sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy.
The festival proceeded with five internal peraheras at the Devalayas before the first Kumbal Perahera took to the streets on August 10.
The Randoli Perahera, the most elaborate segment of the procession, commenced on August 15, drawing large crowds and international attention.
The Esala Perahera’s rich blend of spirituality, tradition, and pageantry remains a key cultural highlight in Sri Lanka, attracting thousands of devotees and tourists each year.
The concluding rituals and ceremonial presentations reaffirm the event’s deep cultural significance, preserving a legacy that spans generations.
