Esala Perahera

The Esala Perahera is one of many festivals held in Sri Lanka in August. The origins of this festival date all the way back to the arrival of the "Tooth Relic" Esala Perahera means "the festival of the tooth". It is a Buddhist festival and it usually consists of dances, bright colored costumes and very colorfully decorated elephants. Some of the dances performed include fire-dances, whip-dances and a traditional dance called a Kandyan dance. This festival goes on for around 10-11 days. At the very end of the festival, a Day Perahera is held to close the ceremony. You are not able to visit the Esala Perahera unless your knees are covered with a skirt or pants because of respect for the religion. I would like to go to one of these festivals, would you?