Kandy Perahara or Procession is held to honor the Sacred Tooth Relic of Buddha enshrined in the Temple of Toosh Relic, and also as a blessing to the gods to give sufficient rain to the farmers for their next crops. This ritual is performed by carrying the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha through the city streets. It starts on the full moon Piya Day in late July or early August and is held over 10 days in the hill country of Kandy. The procession is the most colorful and grand festival in south Asia. It has become a unique symbol of Sri Lanka held every year. It is a Buddhist festival.
The Tooth Relic was brought to Ceylon (the name of Sri Lanka 38 years ago) in the year 310 AD and the first Perahara was performed in Anuradhapura, the first capital where the Sacred Relic was housed. Because the early capitals were shifted for security reasons due to invasions the Tooth Relic went with it too and was always in the custody of the kings. Finally, it found a permanent resting place in the last Sinhalese Kingdom, Kandy. The Tooth Relic lies in the "Dalada Maligawa" or the Temple of the Tooth Relic, which was built by King Wimaladharmasuriya in the 16th century AD. The Sacred Relic still stands in these three stories buildings and is the most visited and important temple in Sri Lanka.
The procession is led by hundred of Decorated Elephants with custodians, Whip Crackers, Fire Dancers, Traditional Drummers, Cultural Dancers, Stilt Walkers, Acrobats, and other artists that perform in the light of flame torches, certainly would take you back in a time machine. In a majestic tusker, the Tooth Relic is carried by a trunk-to-toe decorated elephant. White linen is laid in from of the elephant as a mark of respect so that he does not step in the dirt. But, actually, for the safety of the Tooth Relic, a replica of the Sacred Relic is taken.
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