Esala Perahera in Kandy
Foto: Von Omar AV, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=55166563
The Esala Perahera is one of the most spectacular and oldest Buddhist festivals in Sri Lanka. It takes place annually in Kandy during July or August and honors the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha, which is kept in the Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa).
The festival lasts about ten days and features colorful processions with traditional dancers, drummers, elaborately decorated elephants, and religious ceremonies. The Perahera symbolizes the cultural and spiritual richness of the country and attracts thousands of pilgrims and tourists every year.