The History of Kandy Esala Procession

Posted on by Sanjeewa Padmal (Seerendipity)

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Kandy Esala Perahera: A Cultural Spectacle

If you’re planning your Sri Lanka trip in July or August, you might have the opportunity to witness one of Sri Lanka’s most magnificent cultural events: the Kandy Esala Perahera.

What is the Kandy Esala Perahera?

The Esala Perahera is a grand festival held annually in Kandy to pay homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha. This spectacular procession dates back to the 4th century CE and combines religious devotion with Sri Lankan culture and history.

Key Features of the Festival:

  1. Procession: The highlight is a magnificent procession featuring elaborately decorated elephants, traditional dancers, drummers, and fire-dancers.
  2. Sacred Tooth Relic: The festival centers around a replica of the casket containing Buddha’s tooth, which is carried on the back of a majestic tusker.
  3. Duration: The festival typically lasts for ten days, with the grandeur increasing each night.
  4. Cultural Significance: It’s not just a religious event but a display of Sri Lankan arts, crafts, and traditional customs.

Kandy Esala procession 2024

This year, from August 10–20, the historic Kandy Esala Perahera will parade through the streets of the Hill Capital city of Kandy. According to custom, the four Basnayake Nilames (Chief Custodians) of the four main devales (temples)—Vishnu, Natha, Patthini, and Kataragama—will accompany the Diyawadana Nilame of the Sri Dalada Maligawa, Nilanga Dela Bandara (Custodian), in leading the procession.

Safety, abundance, and prosperity are brought to the country by the beautiful spectacle held in honor of the precious Tooth Relic of Gautama Buddha.

The British Governor first forbade the march, but it eventually gained official governmental sponsorship. The historic pageant had been disrupted one year by an unexpected outbreak, but as the disease subsided, the governor chose to hold the event annually on the Maha Sangha’s advice.

Aside from the religious component, the pageant’s glitzy cultural performances and wide range of entertainment have drawn interest from all over the world.

Apart from flags and standards, the historic parade includes entertainers such as whip crackers, clarinet blowers, drumbeaters, spectacular Kandyan dancers, and torch bearers who portray the traditional customs. The elephants and tuskers, dressed in glitzy, elaborate costumes, are just the most amazing sight as they majestically parade through congested streets.

Everyone looks forward to this magnificent procession every year

King Kithsiri Mevan (Megavanna) is credited with creating the Kandy Esala Perehera (301–328 BC). State monarchs in India fought against other repeatedly in an attempt to seize the Buddha’s relics.

A sacred tooth relic belonging to the Buddha was in the custody of King Guhashiva of Kalinga in the fourth century B.C. against the same topic, two strong state princes of the time waged war against King Guhashiva. Seeing the danger that lay ahead, King Guhashiva made up his mind not to give the Sacred Relics to any adversaries.

That’s why, should they win the war, he gave his only daughter Princess Hemamali and Prince Dantha the task of protecting the Sacred Relic from the enemy armies.

King Guhashiva told them to get ready and disguise themselves so they could flee to Sri Lanka. As a royal gift, he desired that they turn over the Sacred Relic, King Kithsiri Mevan of Anuradhapura.

Saving the tooth relic

After learning of King Guhashiva’s death and the state’s defeat, the two abandoned their regal garments, pretended to be Brahmin pilgrims, and left to complete their task.

Hidden in her knotted hair, Princess Hemamali wore the small golden Relic Casket discretely atop her head. Their espionage mission was brutal and difficult. They were forced to go through dangerous jungles full of dangerous animals, endure hunger and dehydration, and go without food or sleep for days on end. Their guardian deities were the only people they could rely on.

They encountered a sandy valley as they ventured beyond the jungle’s boundaries. The princess held the relic casket on her head, hidden safely, the entire way. After a little break, they made the decision to conceal the relic casket beneath a sand pagoda while they rested.

A miracle happened as the couple was unwinding—beams of light emerged from the relic. As Khema, an Arahant, soared overhead, he observed this beauty. He bowed down in front of the royal couple and heard about their admirable mission. The Arahant blessed the young couple to reach their destination safely after paying respects to the Buddha’s relics. He also told them to keep him in mind in case they encountered any misfortune or difficulty.

Prince Dantha and Princess Hemamali fell asleep peacefully once more. In the meantime, Pandubhara, a formidable king cobra that resided along the Ganges River’s banks, saw the lights emanating from the sand pagoda. The Naga, who was deeply religious, took the Relic Casket in secrecy and disappeared into the majestic mountain known as “Mahameru.”

Awakened from slumber, the royal pair got ready to continue their adventure and searched for the Golden Casket. To their dismay, they discovered that the sacred relic was missing even though the pagoda was unaltered. Their dismay at this unexpected wickedness made them pray for Arahant Khema. Not only did the Arahant arrive, but it also tracked down the location of the Relic Casket.

Then he went and faced the formidable Naga, taking on the attributes of an eagle. After learning of the Arahant’s spiritual abilities, Naga begged to be allowed to keep the sacred relic in order to gain more merit. Then, with kindness, the Arahant addressed the Naga and explained that, rather than a reptile possessing it, more merits would be produced by permitting the Relic Casket to arrive in Sri Lanka, a nation of merit capable of defending, propagating, and maintaining the doctrine of the Exalted One for the benefit of the world’s population.

The couple bearing the sacred relic arrived in the secure naval city of “Tamalingamu,” delighted with their find.

A sizable throng greeted them warmly there and deeply honored the Buddha’s relic with deep reverence. The gods also presented flowers and fragrances.

The guarantee from the Arahant Khema made the royals’ arrival at the Indian coast possible, and they were able to charter a ship to travel to Serendib Island.

The sky was blue, and the waves were favorable for the voyage as the ship moved quickly. During their journey, the Prince and Princess did poojas and gave alms to the Sacred Tooth Relic amid the sounds of the band.

The reptiles of Naga Loka started to encircle the ship, and once more, thousands of spiritually advancing Nagas stood in their way. For the benefit of everyone wishing to make an obeisance, the sacred relic materialized in the sky as the reptiles started to revere and adore it. The ship came to a stop, and the happy Nagas started to dance as a sign of respect and deference.

Once more, thanks to Arahant Khema’s intervention, the mess was cleared and the ship arrived at its destination, writing golden pages in Sri Lankan history.

Prince Dantha and Princess Hemamali stayed as guests of a Brahmin in a Kovil upon their arrival in Sri Lanka. Subsequently, adhering to the Brahmin’s instructions, the royal pair proceeded towards Anuradhapura, the capital city. They made their way to Meghagiri Viharaya on foot, traversing trails through the woods, with the intention of meeting the current Thera.

After hearing the tale of the royal guests, the Maha Thera sent King Kithsiri Mevan (Megavanna) a pressing message.

The King was ecstatic to hear the good news and gave the order to start making ready to formally greet the royal guests and accept the priceless royal gift right away.

Initially, King Kithsiri Mevan listened to the royal couple’s lengthy account of how they brought the Sacred Relic in a covert operation. The King asked why the sacred relic had a polluted tint after paying his respects and homage to the Buddha’s relics.

Eliminating all skepticism, the Holy Relic suddenly materialized from the coffin and appeared in the sky, emitting a radiant aura.

Reception of the tooth relic

Following that, Anuradhapura was lavishly decorated under royal sponsorship, pandals were built, and Princess Hemamali and Prince Dantha were brought to the King’s Palace with the revered Tooth Relic of the Gautama Buddha. When King Kithsiri Mevan arrived in the royal yard, he got down on his knees and placed the Sacred Relic on his head. Then, all draped in jasmine blossoms, he put the Sacred Golden Relic Casket on his royal throne. Following that, the King swore to give the people of our country and the island of Serendib guardianship and protection of the Buddha’s tooth relic.

Additionally, the King arranged for the Princess and the Prince to live in Sri Lanka permanently.

The King also mandated the public display of the sacred tooth relic at Anuradhapura in answer to the people’s appeal. Later, the relic was positioned in a specially constructed chamber where regular offerings were given at the Isurumuni and Dhamma Cakka Viharas.

Following years of foreign threats, the relic was covertly relocated to the southern Sri Lankan mountain range of Udundora.

Relocating tooth relic due to political instability

The Sacred Relic was carried back to the then-capital, Polonnaruwa, and placed in the Dalada Maligawa during the reign of King Parakramabahu the Great.

Later, the Relic was moved to several locations and capital cities under many monarchs. King Vijayabahu III transported the sacred relic to Dambadeniya from Kotmale. Then, during King Bhuvanekabahu I, it was moved from Rajangana to Yapahuwa. Following the Pandyans’ invasion of the city, King Parakramabahu III retrieved the sacred relic and returned it to Polonnaruwa through diplomatic channels and cordial agreements with Pandyan King Kulasekera. The sacred relic was transported from Polonnaruwa to Dambadeniya, Yapahuwa, Kurunegala, Gampola, and finally Kotte.

The Sacred Relic was covertly transported to Delgamu Viharaya, Ratnapura, and concealed during the Kotte conflicts.

After constructing the current Sri Dalada Maligawa, Kandy’s King Vimaladharmasūriya brought the Sacred Relic to the city in a solemn religious procession. However, the priceless relic was periodically relocated in order to protect it. Before being permanently housed at the Sri Dalada Maligawa, the Sacred Relic was transported to Ududumbara, Kivulgama, Pitigoda, Hanguranketha, Kandenuwara, Kotmale, and Puhulpitiya.

The origin of Kandy Esala Procession

Processions and celebrations were organized in the early Kandyan era to seek the blessings of the gods Sri Vishnu, Kataragama, Natha, and Patthini during the Esala season.

But under King Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe’s rule, Sri Lanka saw a religious revival. The higher ordination was reinstated at the time by Ven. Asarana Sarana Saranankara Welivita Sri Sangaraja Mahathera of Malwatta Maha Viharaya Kandy. The Upali Maha Thera of Siyam suggested to the King that the Sri Dalada Perahera lead processions of this kind after the Devala Perahera passed the Sri Dalada Maligawa and the King and Maha Sangha were there. Thus, King Kirthi Sri Rajasinghe started the annual Kandy Esala Perahera, which is still held today.

On the other hand, the Relic was given to the British under certain terms when Ceylon was made a British colony. The Mahasangha of the Malwatta and Asgiri Chapters soon developed a grudge against the British authorities. Thus, after conferring with the chieftains of Kandy, the esteemed National Patriot, Most Ven. Wariyapola Sri Sumangala Maha Thera, assumed control of the Tooth Relic, deflagged the Union Jack, and vanished into the forests of Dambulla. After discovering that the Maha Nayaka of Asgiriya was absconding with the Sacred Relic, the British overlords sentenced him to death and offered financial incentives for his apprehension, an offer that was never taken up. Subsequently, forty members of the Maha Sangha were imprisoned for three years without cause. Ultimately, the disagreements were resolved amicably after peace negotiations between the local leaders and the British. Ven. Wariyapola Mahanayake Thera then made his way back to Kandy. The Sacred Relic has stayed at the Sri Dalada Mandiraya Kandy ever since.

The Relics of the Exalted One were divided among the eight monarchs who ruled the Mahabharata during the day after the Buddha’s death. Under the protection of the royal family, they were removed in ceremonial processions and with vibrant banners.

source:https://www.dailymirror.lk/news-features/The-saga-of-Kandy-Esala-Perahera/131-289295

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