The final Randoli Perahera of the Dalada Maligawa will parade the streets of Kandy under strict health guidelines. Even though large crowds of worshipers, onlookers or Buddhist clergy were not present, the event was held with the same vigour and the participation of 2,000 performers, featuring 50 elephants. Tuskers Nadungamuwe Vijaya Raja, Wasana, Indi Raja, [...]

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A spectacle with no spectators

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The final Randoli Perahera of the Dalada Maligawa will parade the streets of Kandy under strict health guidelines. Even though large crowds of worshipers, onlookers or Buddhist clergy were not present, the event was held with the same vigour and the participation of 2,000 performers, featuring 50 elephants.

Tuskers Nadungamuwe Vijaya Raja, Wasana, Indi Raja, Buruma Raja, Kandula of Kelaniya as well as Muthu Raja of Aluthgama Kande Vihara were paraded.

During the Friday Perahera, the golden casket with the sacred tooth of the Buddha was carried by Tusker ‘Wasana’ from Ruhunu Kataragama Devalaya and last night by Indi Raja.

Whip crackers, drummers, dancers and fire performers took part in the event.

A Dalada Maligawa spokesman said they were undecided whether Nadungamuwe Vijaya Raja would be given the task of carrying the golden casket.

The final perahera will be televised on local television as well as internationally broadcasted.

The Day Perahera will be held on Monday.

Pix by J A L Jayasinghe