Esala Perahera – The Festival of the Tooth

Esala Perahera, also known as The Festival of the Tooth, is usually held in the summer (July or August) in Kandy to honor the sacred tooth of Lord Buddha and to pay respect to the gods of Sri Lanka as well. During this Buddhist festival, people from across Sri Lanka congregate to Kandy to enjoy the huge procession consisting of various local dances and many elephants exquisitely adorned with lavish garments and jewels.

As darkness falls, the streets of Kandy jostle with spectators eager to catch a glimpse one of the most spectacular processions in the world. This awe-inspiring event includes hundreds of whip crackers, flag bearers, fire-dancers, Kandyan drummers, and elephants in bejeweled capes. After the grand finale, the event ends with the ritual water cutting ceremony in the river, and Sri Lankans believe that this water is sacred and dispels evil.

Contact Us to join The Festival of the Tooth as a local.