Tag Archives: Kandy Myst by Cinnamon.

From Festival Lights to Peaceful Mornings: A Kandy Esala Perahera Stay Experience – Experiencing Sri Lankan Culture

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The Kandy Esala Perahera is one of the most awaited events in the country every year and is one of the Sri Lanka’s most significant cultural experiences. Held during late July and August, this festival is a great way to experience Sri Lanka.

The Highlight of the Festival

While the Esala Perahera spans over 10 days, the highlight of the event is the Grand Randoli Perehara. This procession lasts for over 5 hours, featuring Tuskers dressed in elaborate costumes, Kandyan dancers, whip crackers, fire dancers, and more. Many Kandy hotel rooms are available around the area for those who wish to visit the city to witness this spectacle. Hotels like Kandy Myst by Cinnamon provide easy access to the festival location as well.

Keep Up With the Crowds

With locals from all over the island coming to watch the procession, as well as tourists, there will undoubtedly be a surge in the crowds. When visiting main attractions suh as the Temple of the Tooth Relic, Kandy Lake and the Bahirawakanda Buddha stature, it is best to schedule your visits as early in the day as possible, with late evenings being the busiest times.

Book Your Trip Early

With Kandy being the central attraction for travellers during this period, hotels can be booked out pretty fast. Complete planning and booking your trip as early as possible to avoid stress or unexpected surprises.

Viewing Options

With so much going on, watching the processions can get pretty tiring and overwhelming. While it is free to attend and watch from the pavements alongside the friendly locals, the option of paid seating is also available. If you do go for them, make sure to book them early on.

Festivals of Kandy: Experiencing the Vibrant Esala Perahera

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Held in Kandy, Sri Lanka, the Esala Perahara is one of Asia’s most spectacular religious festivals, celebrating the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha. Every year, as July comes to an end, this grand procession transforms the city into a dazzling display of devotion, colour, and culture.

History
Originating in the 3rd century BCE, the festival was formalised under King Kirthi Sri Rajasinghe in the 18th century. It merges Buddhist and Hindu traditions, honouring the Tooth Relic and seeking blessings for rain and prosperity.

What to Expect
The festival spans 10 nights of processions featuring dancers, drummers, fire performers, and more around the Sri Dalada Maligawa – one of the best places to visit in Kandy. Located in the heart of the city, it’s just a short distance from most hotels, including Kandy Myst by Cinnamon.

During the festival, the sacred relic is symbolically carried in a golden casket atop a majestic tusker.

Kumbal Perahera
This marks the start of the festival. Held over five nights, it features smaller processions meant to gradually purify the city and prepare it for the grander parades to follow.

Randoli Perahera
These final five nights are more lavish and ceremonial, named after the royal palanquins. They represent the pinnacle of the festivities and draw in huge crowds.

Diya Kapeema (Water Cutting Ceremony)
Held at the Mahaweli River, this ritual concludes the Perahera, symbolising spiritual cleansing and blessings.

Dahawal Perahera (Day Procession)
The Dahawal Perahara concludes the final days of the festival.  A daytime parade held after the main events, it offers a more subdued yet meaningful display for devotees.