Kandy, August 3, 2025 — The streets of Kandy will come alive tonight as the final Kumbal Perahera procession marks the beginning of the grand Kandy Esala Festival. This culturally rich and spiritually significant event draws thousands of devotees and visitors, celebrating Sri Lanka’s deep Buddhist traditions.
The Kumbal Perahera is the first major procession in a series leading up to the festival’s climax. It features majestic elephants adorned in vibrant regalia, traditional drummers, dancers, and fire performers who together create an awe-inspiring spectacle. The procession honors the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha, housed in the revered Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Tooth), a symbol of national pride and religious devotion.
The event is scheduled to commence at 6:43 p.m., with participants and spectators filling the historic streets of Kandy. The Kumbal Perahera serves not only as a spiritual observance but also as a showcase of Sri Lanka’s rich cultural heritage, binding communities and generations together.
Following tonight’s procession, the festival will continue with the Randoli Perahera — a series of even more elaborate processions culminating on August 8. The festival concludes with the Diya Kapeema water-cutting ceremony and Dahawal Perahera day procession on August 9, bringing the month-long celebrations to a close.
Local residents and visitors alike anticipate the final Kumbal Perahera to be a memorable expression of faith, unity, and tradition — a true highlight in Sri Lanka’s annual cultural calendar.
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