BY CYRIL WIMALASURENDRE
KANDY: Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela says that this year’s Kandy Esala Perahera will commence on July 29 with the traditional “Kap” planting ceremony at the four Maha Devalayas.
Addressing a press conference held at the Sri Dalada Maligawa Multipurpose Building on Wedensday, the Diyawadane Nilame said that this year’s pageant would be open to spectators. The pageant was closed to the public in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID 19 pandemic.
He said that the “Kap” planting ceremony will be held at the four great temples of Natha, Vishnu, Kataragama and Pattini at the auspicious time of 3.03 am on July 29.
After “Kap” planting in the four great Devales, five Devale peraheras (processions) will be held for the next five nights.
Starting the Esala Festival the first Kumbal Perahera will take to the streets on Aug 02 and parade the streets for five days until the Aug 6.
The first Randoli Perahera will take to the streets on Aug 7, after a five day Kumbal Perahera.
The final Randoli Perahera will be held on the Nikini Full Poya Day on Aug 11 and the Kandy Esala Perahera will conclude with a daytime Perahera and water cutting ceremony on the following day with the presentation the Sandeshaya to the President at the President’s House in Kandy.
Anunayake Most Venerable Dimbulkumbure Wimaladhamma Thero of the Malwathu Chapter, Deputy Registrar of the Asgiriya Chapter Ven. Narampanawe Ananda Thero, Basnayake Nilames and a number of government officials were present at the media briefing.
Source: https://island.lk/kandy-esala-perahera-festival-to-begin-on-july-29/
