Photo by Yves Alarie on Unsplash
Bright colours, elaborate costumes, and rhythmic drum beats. These are just some of the words used to describe the annual Kandy Esala Perahera through the city of Kandy, Sri Lanka (home of the Temple of the Tooth Shrine).
This year’s festival, much like in 2020, will have masked participants and limited tickets for sale to spectators. The Temple’s website has posted that the festival will take place “without the participation of the general public” and those who are involved with putting on what may be the largest Buddhist festival in the world will be adhering to “strict hygiene practices”.
The festival officially started on August 8th with the ceremonial planting of “Kap”, a blessed young jackfruit tree. The tree is cut and split into four sections which are then planted in each premises of the four Gods. Traditionally this represented the showering of blessings onto the King and his people.
The Perahera consists of 10 days of a procession of fire dancers, whip dancers, dignitaries and elephants adorned with beautiful costumes; each day travelling a different route throughout the city.
image: facebook.com/esalaperahera
History of the Tooth Relic
Sri Lankan legend has it that after Buddha died, his body was cremated. One of his disciples found and retrieved his left canine tooth which did not burn in the fire. This tooth was handed over to King Brahmadatte and kept in royal possession in India.
Leaders believed the possession of the tooth gave them the holy right to rule the land. This belief resulted in many wars and conflicts causing multiple changes in capital; each time a new palace was built to house the relic.
It’s final and current resting place is in Kandy at the Sri Dalada Maligawa; a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
History of the Festival
The Festival of the Tooth Relic got its name from the decision made by the ruling Sri Lankan king, King Rajasinghe (1747-1781 AD), to commemorate the day the Sacred Tooth arrived in Sri Lanka. This allowed the public to see the tooth relic whereas before it always remained in the temple that was built for it.
According to its official website, the festival consists of the Kumbal Perahera, Randoli Perahera and the Maha (Grand) Randoli Perahera.
The Kumbal is regarded as a semi-procession because not all participants take part in it; drummers and tuskers (elephants with large tusks) participate but without ceremonial costumes. This one is shown to infants so as to drive away evil spirits.
image: facebook.com/esalaperahera
The Randoli is the official procession which includes the Sacred Tooth Relic. During the times of Kings and Queens, they would sit in elaborate four-poster boxes (palanquins) carried through the streets by royal subjects. This tradition is still honoured by a palanquin as the last part of the procession.
The Maha Randoli is the grandest one of all with all participants fully dressed in ceremonial costumes. Even the elephants are adorned in garlands and gold-stitched costumes.
You can visit the official Facebook page to see updated pictures and videos from this year’s celebrations.
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