Esala perahara is a highly regarded Buddhist ceremonial procession annually takes place in Sri Lanka. It usually takes place in the month of July full moon day, which is an important day in remembrance for the first of Buddhist teachings, or ‘Dhamma’. The first teaching was based in giving up both extreme ends of ascetism and indulgence of worldly pleasures.
It is on an Esala poya day the sacred tooth relic was said to have bought to Sri Lanka by princess Hemamala and Prince Dantha.
The sacred procession takes place in Kandy for at least 10 days. Each day a parade takes place with many varieties of traditional Sri Lankan dancers and elephants, dressed in elaborate costumes.
The main parade takes place on the Esala full moon poya day at night, where a tusker carrying the ceremonial casket flanked by two elephants takes place.
This parade is a popular tourist attraction in Sri Lanka. You can find more details about the ceremonial parade by visiting this site.
