Temple of Sacred Tooth Relic
Sri Lanka is a country which has proud and great history. When peeping to that history can understand Temple of Sacred Tooth Relic or Dalada Maligawa in city of Kandy is the most powerful religion and political center of the Sri Lanka. It is located in the royal palace complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy, which houses the relic of the tooth of the Buddha. The nature of the various aspects of the past societies such as political, religious, cultural, artistic, etc. are reflected from the historical & cultural background of the Temple of Sacred Tooth Relic. So Kandy Perahara is also called the Festival of the Tooth. The Esala Perahara was started by king Kithsirimewan during 301-328 time periods. Firstly, it was held as separate ceremony called as “Dalada Perehara”. However, in 18th century king Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe changed “Dalada Perehara” into “Senkadha Perehara Ceremony” which included several Gods such as Vishnu, Kataragama, Natha and Paththini. Since then that has organized by the Dalada Maligawa and other four Dewalas. This historical procession is held annually to pay homage to the Scared Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha and also for requesting to end the drought and getting rainfall from gods.
The World's Prestigious procession
For Sri Lankans, this procession is the most important ceremony. Normally, Kandy Esala Perahara held in August at Kandy. In that time period Kandy is busy with local and foreign tourists. In this procession, main procession is “Dalada Perehara” and it is so elegant. Apart from Dalada Perehara there are “Natha Dewala Perehara”, “Kataragama Dewala Perehara”, “Vishnu Dewala Perehara”, “Paththini Dewala Perahara”. Every activities and things in the procession are doing in the auspicious time. Apart from main procession there are several processions called as “Athule Perehara”, “Kumbal Perehara”, “Randoli Perahara”, “Day Perehara”. This procession ceremony starts with the traditional “Kap Situweeme Ritual” and ends with the traditional “Diya Kapeeme Ritual” or “Water Cutting Ceremony” at Mahaweli River. After Water Cutting Ceremony devotees dive in the river and bath, because they believe that water has power to cure all diseases.
culture & politics behind esal perehara
Kandy Esala Perehara is a combination of religion, art and political. All the members who participate in to Perehara decorate themselves with elegant costumes. Most eye-catching items can be seen in the Esala Perehara. The elephants with lavish garments dance according to drum sounds are eye-catching. The elephant which named as “Nedumgamuwe Raja” brings the casket presently. Esala Perehara consists with authentic dances just like “Fire Dance”, “Whip Dance”, “Kandyan Dance”, “Sabaragamuwa Dance”, “Pahatharata Dance” etc. Among those dances, Cane Dance stretching over the length of the cane, one of the team’s member is changing and taking turns are appealing and so creative. Whip Dance leads the procession and its aim is to get space for the procession and to indicate procession is on the way. Also, Fire dance get all the visitors’ attraction, because even little children hold the fire and dance with them. This procession imitates the “Rain”. Hewisi and Drums sounds indicate the “Thundering of the Sky”. Elephants indicate “Clouds” and Fire indicates the “Lightning”. Finally, Water Cutting Ceremony indicate the Rain Drops. These are the authentic symbols for the Sri Lanka. Nevertheless, Kandy Perehara is a good opportunity to learn about Sri Lanka.
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