testSri Lanka is a country inhabited by people of four races and four regions. Therefore, it has religious and non-religious festivals throughout the year. Thai Pongal (Hindu), Maha Sivarathri (Hindu), Wesak (Buddhist), Ramazan (Islamic), Christmas (Christian), New year on April (National) are some of it. The Kandy Esala Perahera is also known as the Festival of the Tooth. It’s a festival held in July/August in Kandy. It is held in the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy, A unique symbol of Sri Lanka. The history of this pageant goes back to 309AD, the year Tooth Relic was brought to Sri Lanka. Since then, this festival is being held with the patronage of Kings and the government. Therefore, this is organised in the best possible way. After the Kandyan Kingdom ceded to the British in 1815, the custody of the Relic was handed over to the Maha Sangha (the Buddhist Clergy). In the absence of the king, a chief lay custodian called the "Diyawadana Nilame" was appointed to handle the routine administrative matters concerning the relic and its care.
This marvellous pageant, parade along in the city of Kandy (Sri Lanka’s last kingdom) with lots of fascinating events. Drum beaters, Kandyan dancers, whip crackers, flag bearers, fire ball dancers do their best to this pageant. A large number of elephants and tuskers march in Royal glory in this procession and they are dressed with colourful costumes. This is the only procession in the world which is held for ten days along with more than fifty Elephants and Tuskers, hundreds of drummers & dancers. The special part here is, the way of taking the Tooth Relic on elephant’s back, white cloth is spreading. This strong majestic Tusker walks entire distance on this white cloth. A very tamed and experienced Tusker is used for this task. So, this festival brings the beauty of the divine world.
The city of Kandy is fulfilled with tourists and local spectators during this period. It constitutes a memorable cultural pageant which mixes the Buddhist and Hindu ritual practices, and also some Mahayana and Theravada elements.