Kandy Perahera

The glittering 10 nights in July and August where the charming hill capital is bathed in lights is the highlight of the year in Kandy.  The Kandy Esala Perahera is an ancient and grand Buddhist festival in Sri Lanka celebrated to honor the Sacred Tooth Relic and the four guardian gods Nadha, Vishnu, Kataragama and Goddess Pattini. The procession if followed in order by those belonging to the four guardian temples. The Perahera (parade) features dancers, jugglers, musicians, fire breathers and about 80-100 decorated elephants. The purpose of the Kandy Perahera is to beseech the gods to bless the kingdom with rain for cultivation and also to enrich the lands. This has become a favourite parade enjoyed by tourists.