Esala Perahera Festival Commences with Traditional Kap plantibg Ceremony

The ceremonial cutting of the sacred Kap was performed yesterday (24) at the Aluthnuwara Dedimunda Devalaya, led by Chief Basnayake Nilame of the Vishnu Devalaya, Mahinda Ratwatte. 

The Kap was then ceremoniously brought to Kandy by the revered elephant Sura Nimala and distributed among the four main devalayas Natha, Vishnu, Kataragama, and Pattini.

Processions featuring traditional drummers and elephants accompanied the delivery, adding cultural grandeur to the religious tradition. The inner temple processions will now continue daily, leading up to the grand Kandy Esala Maha Perahera, which will be held from July 30 to August 9.