Longest standing event and country branding
View(s):The Sri Dalada Esala Perahera, Kandy’s largest pageant, just ended for 2023 with the patriation of numerous people, including His Excellency the President Ranil Wicremesighe and the first lady. Five Kumbal peraheras and five Randoli peraheras each exist. People bring their young kids to see the first Kumbal perahera in the hopes that it will bring them health. There’s also a myth that rains are brought by the perehera as it starts its march. This time too, the Dalada Perehera was able to bring about the much-needed rain despite numerous weather forecasts that did not include a rainy day forecast.
Speaking of Sri Lanka’s national branding, there are numerous occasions that we can discuss besides the locations, settings, and archaeological sites that can be advertised to tourists. The Kandy Esala Perahera or pageant is the one event that has drawn interest from both local and foreign tourists throughout history, dating back to the old Anuradhapura kingdom. The rites are still performed in Kandy in the same manner as they did hundreds of years ago. The Kandy Perahera is one of many things that altered over time, but aside from the fact that it used to involve roughly 120 elephants a century ago, then 100 elephants, and now only 80 elephants, it still follows the same customs and conducts itself in the same way. According to predictions, this may decrease even more over time because it is difficult to locate tamed elephants. Despite the fact that domesticated elephants live 20–30 years longer than wild elephants, certain individuals and organisations are trying to convince people that bringing elephants to this important occasion should be prohibited. Although it makes no sense logically, it is magnified for the benefit of a select few organisations through social media and other platforms. Leaving this aside, it’s worth looking at the history of this historic national event and its evolution.
The Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha was presented to King Kirthi Sri Meghavanna during his reign in Anuradhapura by Princess Hemamala and Prince Danta, who had brought it from India. This is when the Dalada perahera first began. The relic was to be paraded throughout the city once a year with pomp and ceremony, per the king’s order. This custom is being practised today, despite some interruptions from wars and invasions.
On the king’s request, Maha Thera Upali from Siam, who had come to Kandy to revitalise Upasampada (higher ordination), the Dalada perahera united with the four Devala perahera of the Natha, Vishnu, Kataragama, and Pattini during the reign of King Kirti Sri Rajasinha. The ‘Kap’ situweema (planting of the Kapa) on the grounds of the four Devalas is the main event of the Esala perahera. By being charged with the duty of distributing the “Kap” to the other three devalas, the Vishnu Devalaya, also known as the Maha Devalaya, performs a significant function. ‘Kapa’ is the name given to a stump removed from a tree whose sap is milky. It also connotes a commitment to the Gods, a vow, and a wish for the success of the perahera. The ‘Kapa’ is brought from Aluthnuwara, situated close to Mawanella on the Kandy-Colombo road where the first temple of God Vishnu is assumed to be located.
Even though Sri Lanka’s socio-demographic and geopolitical landscape may alter significantly, it is believed that the Kandy Esala Perehera will continue its procession. Instead of being a religious celebration, the pageant has evolved into a national event that draws large crowds of tourists to Sri Lanka, especially to the city of Kandy. During perahera season, certain restaurants have offered seats for LKR 30,000 each, giving customers access to the viewing area.
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