The first Kumbal Perahera of the Kandy Esala Perahera, regarded as one of Sri Lanka’s grandest cultural festivals, will take to the streets today (18), according to Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela.
The annual procession commenced on August 13 with the traditional Kap Situweema ceremony, held at 6:17 a.m. at the four devales dedicated to Natha, Vishnu, Kataragama and Pattini. Following the ceremony, internal processions were held within the devales for five consecutive days until August 17.
The first Kumbal Perahera will be followed by four more processions, with the fifth Kumbal Perahera scheduled to take place on August 22.
The spectacular Randoli Perahera will then begin, with processions scheduled from August 23 to 27. The final Randoli Maha Perahera will be held on August 27, coinciding with the Nikini Full Moon Poya Day.
After the final procession concludes and returns to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, the procession casket will be taken to the Asgiriya Gedige Rajamaha Viharaya and ceremonially deposited there according to ancient traditions.
The four Devale processions will subsequently proceed to the Gatambe Diyakapana Thotupola, where the traditional water-cutting ceremony will be held in the early hours of August 28. The daytime procession later that day will mark the conclusion of this year’s Kandy Esala Perahera Festival.
Meanwhile, approximately 8,000 security personnel are expected to be deployed to ensure the safety of the festival.
The security operation will include around 6,200 police officers, 564 members of the Police Special Task Force, 1,200 personnel from the three armed forces, and a contingent of Civil Defence personnel. Police canine and mounted units will also assist with security operations.
Inspector General of Police Attorney-at-Law Priyantha Weerasuriya visited Kandy on August 15 to brief the Mahanayake Theras on the security arrangements for the Perahera.
A special traffic management plan is also being implemented in and around Kandy throughout the festival period. Police have established 13 parking areas for visitors.
In addition, 14 roadblocks will be deployed at key entry points into Kandy, including the Katugastota, Peradeniya and Tennekumbura bridges, to facilitate security checks and manage traffic.
