Kandy Esala Perahera 2026
Date & Time
Aug 18-28, 2026 • 18:30
Location
Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic) to streets of Kandy
Kandy
Important Notice
Event information is provided by organizers and may change without notice. adsqr.lk is not responsible for cancellations, pricing changes, date/time changes, or incorrect details. Always verify with the organizer before attending.
Pricing
Free Entry
How to Register
Contact the organizer for registration details
About This Event
The Kandy Esala Perahera is one of the oldest and grandest Buddhist festivals in the world, held annually in July/August to pay homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha. The 2026 festival spans 11 days from August 18-28, featuring two main processions: Kumbal Perahera (Aug 18-22) and Randoli Perahera (Aug 23-27), culminating in the Grand Randoli Procession on Aug 27. The festival includes traditional dancers, drummers, whip crackers, flag bearers, and over 100 beautifully decorated elephants, with the main tusker carrying the replica of the Sacred Tooth Relic casket. The event combines Buddhist rituals with Hindu Devale processions (Natha, Vishnu, Kataragama, and Pattini), reflecting Sri Lanka's multicultural heritage. The festival concludes with the Diya Kapeema (water cutting ceremony) at dawn on Aug 27 at Getambe on the Mahaweli River, followed by the Dahawal Perahera (day procession) on Aug 28. Dating back to the 4th century AD when the Sacred Tooth Relic was brought to Sri Lanka, the perahera symbolizes the living presence of Buddha and is believed to bring blessings of timely rain and prosperity. Visitors can witness this spectacular cultural and religious pageantry that transforms the historic city of Kandy into a vibrant display of light, music, and devotion.