The first Randoli Perahera of the historic Kandy Esala Perahera Festival is scheduled to take to the streets today (23) at 6:44 p.m., at an auspicious time.
The procession will officially commence when the ceremonial tusker carrying the Sacred Tooth Relic casket, facing south, places its foot on the Sandagalu near the entrance of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy.
The procession will feature the traditional Perahera of the four major devales, along with decorated elephants and tuskers, dancers, drummers, and other traditional performers, creating a spectacular cultural pageant.
The grand final Randoli Perahera of this year’s Kandy Esala Perahera Festival is scheduled to take place on Thursday, August 27, coinciding with the Nikini Full Moon Poya Day.
The traditional water-cutting ceremony will be held the following day at the Getambe ferry point.
Meanwhile, police have implemented a special traffic plan in Kandy city during the Perahera period and have advised motorists to use alternative routes.
According to police, heavy vehicles arriving from Katugastota can travel towards Kandy via Tilak Ratnayake Mawatha from the Mahaiyawa Junction and continue through the Police Junction.
Light vehicles can travel via D.S. Senanayake Street, Cross Street and Yatinuwara Street, then turn right and proceed left near the Miramakkam Mosque before continuing along Tilak Ratnayake Mawatha.
Vehicles leaving Kandy towards Katugastota can also use Tilak Ratnayake Mawatha via the Police Junction towards Mahaiyawa.
Vehicles arriving from the Thannekumbura and Ampitiya directions can travel along Sangharaja Mawatha to the Wales Park Junction, turn right onto Ehelepola Kumarihamy Mawatha, and proceed towards Bogambara and the railway station area before continuing towards Colombo or Kandy.
Police have also advised that access to Kandy city is possible via Palli Road from the Rajapihilla Mawatha Junction.
Vehicles travelling from Kandy towards Ampitiya and the Teldeniya road can proceed from the Clock Tower Roundabout along Dalada Street, turn near the side entrance of the Queen’s Hotel and continue via Sangharaja Mawatha. Alternative routes are also available from the Bogambara Roundabout.
Meanwhile, motorists travelling between Colombo and Kandy have been advised to use William Gopallawa Mawatha and the Old Peradeniya Road to enter or leave Kandy during the Perahera period.
