Kandy Esala Perahera 2026
Ten nights of caparisoned elephants, Kandyan drummers, fire dancers and torch bearers through central Kandy, with reserved balcony seating sold along the D.S. Senanayake Veediya route.
The Esala Perahera is the largest religious procession on the island, staged by Kandy's Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic across ten consecutive nights each year. Caparisoned elephants, whip-crackers, fire dancers, Kandyan drummers and long files of torch bearers move at walking pace through the city centre in a parade that can run for several hours. The scale builds as the run progresses: the quieter Kumbal Peraheras open proceedings, the grander Randoli Peraheras follow, and a daytime procession closes the cycle.
This listing sells reserved seats on balconies and in buildings along the route rather than roadside standing space, which is free but claimed many hours in advance.
- 18 to 28 August 2026, evening processions from 6.00 PM
- Viewing balconies on D.S. Senanayake Veediya, Kandy
- Most nights are sold out; a small number of 24 August Randoli seats remained
Lineup
Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic)
Host
Where to find it
Perahera Route, D.S. Senanayake Veediya
D.S. Senanayake Veediya, Kandy, Kandy
