The Kandy Esala Perahera is held every year in July and August on days fixed by the Diyawadana Nilame of the Dalada Maligawa. This historical procession is held every year to pay reverence to the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha, which is housed at the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy.The Sacred Tooth Relic was brought to Ceylon the reign of King Kirthisiri Meghawanna who ruled at Anuradhapura from 303 – 331 AD. The Tooth Relic was taken in parade to Sri Lanka by Princess Hemamala and Prince Dantha.
Whatever the reasons ascribed to the inception of the Kandy Esala Perahera are, the general conviction is that the event in Kandy initiated amid the rule of Kirthi Sri Rajasinghe (1747 – 1781). This conviction has likely come to fruition since it was amid the rule of Kirthi Sri Rajasinghe that the Perahera, as it exists today took structure, with the amalgamation of the four Devale Peraheras with the Dalada Perahera. There is adequate proof, both recorded and abstract, to impact that the yearly festivals regarding the Sacred Tooth Relic started since its landing.
The parade comprises of many traditional local dances such as, fire-dances, whip-dances, Kandyan dances and various other cultural dances, in addition to the elephants who are usually adorned with lavish garments. The celebration closes with the customary diya-kepeema custom, a water cutting function which is held at the Mahaweli River at Getambe, Kandy.
The ceremonies associated with the Tooth Relic are led by Monks of the Malwatte and Asgiriya Chapters of the Buddhist clergy in Sri Lanka. It is the duty of the Diyawadana Nilame to compose the Perahera and in this way he summons the vast number of authorities of the Temple of the Tooth and endows them with ceremonial duties connected with the conducting of the Perahera. He first gets the promising time from the Nekath Mohottala, the advisor on astrological matters. The assignment of sorting out the diverse sorts of drummers is given over to the four authorities known as the Panikka Mura Baarakaruwo.
The Maligawa authorities also meet the proprietors of the elephants because of participate in the Perahera . The dance troupes are given time to get ready. The Basnayake Nilames are then advised to compose their paades.
