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Benutzer:Shi Annan/Kandy Esala Perahera

2019-03-12T16:07:35Z

Jan deno: /* The Kumbal Perahera */

[[File:Elephants of Kandy Esala Perahera (2).jpg|Ceremonial Tusker carrying the Sacred Casket|thumb|right|350px]]
'''The Kandy Esala Perahera''' (the [[Kandy Esala Perahera|Dalada Perahara]] procession of Kandy) also known as '''The Festival of the Tooth''' is a grand [[festival]] celebrated with elegant costumes and is held in July and August in [[Kandy]], [[Sri Lanka]]. This historical procession is held annually to pay homage to the [[Sacred Tooth Relic]] of [[Lord Buddha]], which is housed at the [[Sri Dalada Maligawa]] in Kandy. A unique symbol of Sri Lanka, the procession consists of many traditional local dances such as fire-dances, whip-dances, Kandyan dances and various other cultural dances, in addition to the elephants who are usually adorned with lavish garments. The festival ends with the traditional ''diya-kepeema'' ritual, a water cutting ceremony which is held at the [[Mahaweli River]] at [[Getambe]], Kandy.

==History==
[[File:Esala Perehera festival in 1885.jpg|Esala Perehera festival, around 1885|thumb|right|350px]]
The Esala is believed to be a fusion of two separate but interconnected "''Peraheras''" (Processions) – The ''Esala'' and ''Dalada''. The Esala Perahera, which is thought to date back to the 3rd century BC, was a ritual enacted to request the gods for rainfall. The Dalada Perahera is believed to have begun when the [[Relic of the tooth of the Buddha|Sacred Tooth Relic]] of the [[Gautama Buddha|Buddha]] was brought to Sri Lanka from India during the 4th century CE, eight hundred years after the passing away of Lord Buddha.

According to tradition, the Tooth Relic was taken in procession to Sri Lanka by Princess Hemamala & Prince Dantha.

===Modern Perahera===

After the Kandyan Kingdom fell to the British in 1815, the custody of the Relic was handed over to the ''Maha Sanga'' (the [[Buddhism|Buddhist Clergy]]). In the absence of the king, a chief lay custodian called the "''[[Diyawadana Nilame]]''" was appointed to handle routine administrative matters concerning the relic and its care.

==The Procession==

The Kandy Esala Perahera begins with the ''Kap Situveema'' or ''Kappa'', in which a sanctified young [[Jackfruit|Jackfruit tree]] (Artocarpus integrifolia) is cut and planted in the premises of each of the four [[Devale (architecture)|Devale]]s dedicated to the four guardian gods [[Natha (disambiguation)|Natha]], [[Vishnu]], [[Katharagama]] and the goddess [[Pattini]]. Traditionally it was meant to shower blessing on the King and the people.

[[Image:Kandy dancers.jpg|350px|thumb|right|Dancers at the Esala Perahera]]

===The Kumbal Perahera===

For the next five nights, the "''Devale Peraheras''" take place within the premises of the four Devales with the priest of each Devale taking the pole every evening, accompanied by music and drumming, flag and canopy bearers, spearman and the ''Ran Ayudha'' (gold Armaments), the sacred insignia of the Gods.

On the sixth night, the ''Kumbal Perahera'' begins and continues on for five days. Initially, the Devale Peraheras assemble in front of the [[Temple of the Tooth]], which is [[Sri Lanka]]'s most important Buddhist Shrine and where the Buddha’s [[Relic of the tooth of the Buddha|Sacred Tooth Relic]] has been kept since the 16th Century, with their insignias placed on the ''ransivige'' (a dome-like structure) accompanied by the Basnayake Nilames (the lay custodians of the Devales).

The relic casket, which is a replica for the Tooth Relic, is placed inside the ransivige affixed to the Maligawa Elephant, the ''Maligawa Perahera'' joins the awaiting Devale Peraheras and leads the procession. Whip-crackers and fireball acrobats clear the path, followed by the Buddhist flag bearers. Then, riding on the first elephant, is the official called ''Peramuna Rala'' (Front Official). He is followed by Kandyan Drummers and Dancers who enthrall the crowd, and are themselves followed by [[elephant]]s and other groups of musicians, dancers and flag bearers. A group of singers dressed in white heralds the arrival of the Maligawa Tusker carrying the [[Relic of the tooth of the Buddha|Sacred Tooth Relic]]. The [[Diyawadana Nilame]] (traditionally required to do everything in his power to ensure rain in the correct season) walks in traditional Kandyan-clothed splendor after the tusker.

The second procession is from the Natha Devale, which faces the Sri Dalada Maligawa and is said to be the oldest building in [[Kandy]], dating back to the 14th Century.

The third is from the Vishnu Devale ([[Vishnu]] being a Hindu god), also known as the Maha Devale. It is situated in front of the main gate of the Natha Devale.

[[File:Esala Perahera (Procession) 2006, Kandy, Sri Lanka.jpg|The procession of Katharagama Devale|350px|thumb|right]]

The fourth procession is from the Katharagama Devale (dedicated to the God of [[Kataragama deviyo]], identified with the warrior god [[Murugan|Skanda]]) which is on Kottugodalle Vidiya (a street in [[Kandy]]). This procession includes [[Kavadi]], the peacock dance, in which the pilgrim-dances carry semicircular wooden contraptions studded with peacock feathers on their shoulders.

The fifth and final procession is from the Pattini Devale ([[Pattini]] being a goddess associated with the cure of infectious diseases and called upon in times of drought and famine), which is situated to the West of the Natha Devale. This is the only procession that has [[women]] dances.

The following important times are announced by the firing of cannonballs, which can be heard all across [[Kandy]].
#The commencement of the Devale Peraheras
#The placing of the casket on the tuskers back
#The commencement of the Dalada Perahera
#The completion of the Perahera

===The Randoli Perahera===

The ''Randoli Perahera'' begins after five nights of the Kumbal Perahera. Randoli refers to palanquins on which the Queens of the ruling Kings traditionally traveled.
2018 Kandy Esala Maha Perahera (Randoli Perahera) was held on 25 August 2018, the full moon poya day with the participation of hundreds thousands people.

===Diya Kepeema and the Day Perahera===

After a further five nights of the Randoli Perahera, the pageant ends with the ''Diya Kepeema'', which is the water cutting ceremony at the [[Mahaweli River]] at [[Getambe]], a town a few miles from Kandy. A Day Perahera is held to mark the ceremony.

==Notable Sacred Casket Bearer Tuskers==
*[[Raja (elephant)|Raja]]
*[[Heiyantuduwa Raja (elephant)|Heiyantuduwa Raja]]
*[[Millangoda Raja]]
*[[Nadungamuwa Raja]]

==Organization of the Perahera==
[[Image:The good luck elephant.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Elephants at the Esala Perahera]]
The rituals connected with the Tooth Relic are conducted by Monks of the Malwatte Chapter and Asgiriya Chapters of the [[Buddhism|Buddhist clergy]] in [[Sri Lanka]]. It is the duty of the [[Diyawadana Nilame]] to organize the Perahera and thus he summons the large number of officials of the [[Temple of the Tooth]] and entrusts them with various ceremonial duties connected with the conducting of the Perahera. He first gets the auspicious time from the ''Nekath Mohottala'', the advisor on [[astrology|astrological]] matters. The task of organising the different types of drummers is handed over to the four officials known as the ''Panikka Mura Baarakaruwo''.

The Maligawa officials also meet the owners of the [[elephant]]s due to take part in the Perahera (most elephants are privately owned). The dance troupes are given time to prepare. The Basnayake Nilames (the lay custodians of the Devales) are then told to organise their processions.

==Perahera Sandeshaya==
[[File:Diyawadana Nilame H.B Udurawana & Most Venerable Sirimalwatte Ananda Mahanayake Thero.jpg|thumb|right|200px|President William Gopallawa receiving the sannasa.]]
On completion of the Perahera, the Diyawadana Nilame would lead a procession consisting of the Nilames of Sathara Maha Devalas and the Nilames of rural devalas to the [[President's Pavilion]] carrying a sannasa (formal letter) known as the Perahera Sandeshaya to the [[President of Sri Lanka|President]] stating the successful complition of the annual Esala Perahera. The President would meet and receive the sannasa at the entrance to the President's Pavilion.

==See also==
*[[Diyawadana Nilame|Diyawadana Nilame, Sri Dalada Maligawa, Kandy]]

== External links ==
{{commonscat|Kandy Esala Perahera}}
*[http://peraherabooking.com/ The Kandy Esala Perahera - 2019]
*[http://kandyperaherabookings.com/ The Kandy Esala Perahera]
*[http://www.telltaletravel.co.uk/articles/elephant-parade-sri-lanka.php Guide to the Esala Perahera in Kandy]
*[http://www.lw.lk/2008/08/kandy-esela-perahera/ Kandy Esela Perahera The Most Magnificent Pageant]
*[http://www.zeeglobe.com/asia/kandy-kandy-perahera/ Kandy and Kandy Perahera]
*[http://countryfeelingholidays.com/kandy.html Kandy and Esela Perahera]
*[https://www.panoramio.com/map/?tag=Perahera Prerahera] Photos.
*[https://lanka.com/events/kandy-esala-perahera/ The Kandy Esala Perahera]

{{Kingdom of Kandy topics}}
{{Kandy landmarks}}
{{Buddhism in Sri Lanka}}

{{coord missing|Sri Lanka}}

[[Category:Festivals in Sri Lanka]]
[[Category:Buddhist festivals]]
[[Category:Kandy]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Central Province, Sri Lanka]]
[[Category:Annual events in Kandy]]

Benutzer:Shi Annan/Kandy Esala Perahera

2019-03-12T16:05:24Z

Jan deno: /* The Kumbal Perahera */

[[File:Elephants of Kandy Esala Perahera (2).jpg|Ceremonial Tusker carrying the Sacred Casket|thumb|right|350px]]
'''The Kandy Esala Perahera''' (the [[Kandy Esala Perahera|Dalada Perahara]] procession of Kandy) also known as '''The Festival of the Tooth''' is a grand [[festival]] celebrated with elegant costumes and is held in July and August in [[Kandy]], [[Sri Lanka]]. This historical procession is held annually to pay homage to the [[Sacred Tooth Relic]] of [[Lord Buddha]], which is housed at the [[Sri Dalada Maligawa]] in Kandy. A unique symbol of Sri Lanka, the procession consists of many traditional local dances such as fire-dances, whip-dances, Kandyan dances and various other cultural dances, in addition to the elephants who are usually adorned with lavish garments. The festival ends with the traditional ''diya-kepeema'' ritual, a water cutting ceremony which is held at the [[Mahaweli River]] at [[Getambe]], Kandy.

==History==
[[File:Esala Perehera festival in 1885.jpg|Esala Perehera festival, around 1885|thumb|right|350px]]
The Esala is believed to be a fusion of two separate but interconnected "''Peraheras''" (Processions) – The ''Esala'' and ''Dalada''. The Esala Perahera, which is thought to date back to the 3rd century BC, was a ritual enacted to request the gods for rainfall. The Dalada Perahera is believed to have begun when the [[Relic of the tooth of the Buddha|Sacred Tooth Relic]] of the [[Gautama Buddha|Buddha]] was brought to Sri Lanka from India during the 4th century CE, eight hundred years after the passing away of Lord Buddha.

According to tradition, the Tooth Relic was taken in procession to Sri Lanka by Princess Hemamala & Prince Dantha.

===Modern Perahera===

After the Kandyan Kingdom fell to the British in 1815, the custody of the Relic was handed over to the ''Maha Sanga'' (the [[Buddhism|Buddhist Clergy]]). In the absence of the king, a chief lay custodian called the "''[[Diyawadana Nilame]]''" was appointed to handle routine administrative matters concerning the relic and its care.

==The Procession==

The Kandy Esala Perahera begins with the ''Kap Situveema'' or ''Kappa'', in which a sanctified young [[Jackfruit|Jackfruit tree]] (Artocarpus integrifolia) is cut and planted in the premises of each of the four [[Devale (architecture)|Devale]]s dedicated to the four guardian gods [[Natha (disambiguation)|Natha]], [[Vishnu]], [[Katharagama]] and the goddess [[Pattini]]. Traditionally it was meant to shower blessing on the King and the people.

[[Image:Kandy dancers.jpg|350px|thumb|right|Dancers at the Esala Perahera]]

===The Kumbal Perahera===

For the next five nights, the "''Devale Peraheras''" take place within the premises of the four Devales with the priest of each Devale taking the pole every evening, accompanied by music and drumming, flag and canopy bearers, spearman and the ''Ran Ayudha'' (gold Armaments), the sacred insignia of the Gods.

On the sixth night, the ''Kumbal Perahera'' begins and continues on for five days. Initially, the Devale Peraheras assemble in front of the [[Temple of the Tooth]], which is [[Sri Lanka]]'s most important Buddhist Shrine and where the Buddha’s [[Relic of the tooth of the Buddha|Sacred Tooth Relic]] has been kept since the 16th Century) with their insignias placed on the ''ransivige'' (a dome-like structure) accompanied by the Basnayake Nilames (the lay custodians of the Devales).

The relic casket, which is a replica for the Tooth Relic, is placed inside the ransivige affixed to the Maligawa Elephant, the ''Maligawa Perahera'' joins the awaiting Devale Peraheras and leads the procession. Whip-crackers and fireball acrobats clear the path, followed by the Buddhist flag bearers. Then, riding on the first elephant, is the official called ''Peramuna Rala'' (Front Official). He is followed by Kandyan Drummers and Dancers who enthrall the crowd, and are themselves followed by [[elephant]]s and other groups of musicians, dancers and flag bearers. A group of singers dressed in white heralds the arrival of the Maligawa Tusker carrying the [[Relic of the tooth of the Buddha|Sacred Tooth Relic]]. The [[Diyawadana Nilame]] (traditionally required to do everything in his power to ensure rain in the correct season) walks in traditional Kandyan-clothed splendor after the tusker.

The second procession is from the Natha Devale, which faces the Sri Dalada Maligawa and is said to be the oldest building in [[Kandy]], dating back to the 14th Century.

The third is from the Vishnu Devale ([[Vishnu]] being a Hindu god), also known as the Maha Devale. It is situated in front of the main gate of the Natha Devale.

[[File:Esala Perahera (Procession) 2006, Kandy, Sri Lanka.jpg|The procession of Katharagama Devale|350px|thumb|right]]

The fourth procession is from the Katharagama Devale (dedicated to the God of [[Kataragama deviyo]], identified with the warrior god [[Murugan|Skanda]]) which is on Kottugodalle Vidiya (a street in [[Kandy]]). This procession includes [[Kavadi]], the peacock dance, in which the pilgrim-dances carry semicircular wooden contraptions studded with peacock feathers on their shoulders.

The fifth and final procession is from the Pattini Devale ([[Pattini]] being a goddess associated with the cure of infectious diseases and called upon in times of drought and famine), which is situated to the West of the Natha Devale. This is the only procession that has [[women]] dances.

The following important times are announced by the firing of cannonballs, which can be heard all across [[Kandy]].
#The commencement of the Devale Peraheras
#The placing of the casket on the tuskers back
#The commencement of the Dalada Perahera
#The completion of the Perahera

===The Randoli Perahera===

The ''Randoli Perahera'' begins after five nights of the Kumbal Perahera. Randoli refers to palanquins on which the Queens of the ruling Kings traditionally traveled.
2018 Kandy Esala Maha Perahera (Randoli Perahera) was held on 25 August 2018, the full moon poya day with the participation of hundreds thousands people.

===Diya Kepeema and the Day Perahera===

After a further five nights of the Randoli Perahera, the pageant ends with the ''Diya Kepeema'', which is the water cutting ceremony at the [[Mahaweli River]] at [[Getambe]], a town a few miles from Kandy. A Day Perahera is held to mark the ceremony.

==Notable Sacred Casket Bearer Tuskers==
*[[Raja (elephant)|Raja]]
*[[Heiyantuduwa Raja (elephant)|Heiyantuduwa Raja]]
*[[Millangoda Raja]]
*[[Nadungamuwa Raja]]

==Organization of the Perahera==
[[Image:The good luck elephant.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Elephants at the Esala Perahera]]
The rituals connected with the Tooth Relic are conducted by Monks of the Malwatte Chapter and Asgiriya Chapters of the [[Buddhism|Buddhist clergy]] in [[Sri Lanka]]. It is the duty of the [[Diyawadana Nilame]] to organize the Perahera and thus he summons the large number of officials of the [[Temple of the Tooth]] and entrusts them with various ceremonial duties connected with the conducting of the Perahera. He first gets the auspicious time from the ''Nekath Mohottala'', the advisor on [[astrology|astrological]] matters. The task of organising the different types of drummers is handed over to the four officials known as the ''Panikka Mura Baarakaruwo''.

The Maligawa officials also meet the owners of the [[elephant]]s due to take part in the Perahera (most elephants are privately owned). The dance troupes are given time to prepare. The Basnayake Nilames (the lay custodians of the Devales) are then told to organise their processions.

==Perahera Sandeshaya==
[[File:Diyawadana Nilame H.B Udurawana & Most Venerable Sirimalwatte Ananda Mahanayake Thero.jpg|thumb|right|200px|President William Gopallawa receiving the sannasa.]]
On completion of the Perahera, the Diyawadana Nilame would lead a procession consisting of the Nilames of Sathara Maha Devalas and the Nilames of rural devalas to the [[President's Pavilion]] carrying a sannasa (formal letter) known as the Perahera Sandeshaya to the [[President of Sri Lanka|President]] stating the successful complition of the annual Esala Perahera. The President would meet and receive the sannasa at the entrance to the President's Pavilion.

==See also==
*[[Diyawadana Nilame|Diyawadana Nilame, Sri Dalada Maligawa, Kandy]]

== External links ==
{{commonscat|Kandy Esala Perahera}}
*[http://peraherabooking.com/ The Kandy Esala Perahera - 2019]
*[http://kandyperaherabookings.com/ The Kandy Esala Perahera]
*[http://www.telltaletravel.co.uk/articles/elephant-parade-sri-lanka.php Guide to the Esala Perahera in Kandy]
*[http://www.lw.lk/2008/08/kandy-esela-perahera/ Kandy Esela Perahera The Most Magnificent Pageant]
*[http://www.zeeglobe.com/asia/kandy-kandy-perahera/ Kandy and Kandy Perahera]
*[http://countryfeelingholidays.com/kandy.html Kandy and Esela Perahera]
*[https://www.panoramio.com/map/?tag=Perahera Prerahera] Photos.
*[https://lanka.com/events/kandy-esala-perahera/ The Kandy Esala Perahera]

{{Kingdom of Kandy topics}}
{{Kandy landmarks}}
{{Buddhism in Sri Lanka}}

{{coord missing|Sri Lanka}}

[[Category:Festivals in Sri Lanka]]
[[Category:Buddhist festivals]]
[[Category:Kandy]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Central Province, Sri Lanka]]
[[Category:Annual events in Kandy]]