Esala Perahera Festival, Kandy: Address, Phone Number, Esala Perahera Festival Reviews: 4/5
Esala Perahera Festival
Esala Perahera Festival
4
About
The Esala Perahera in Kandy is one of the oldest and grandest of all Buddhist festivals in Sri Lanka, featuring dancers, jugglers, musicians, fire-breathers, and lavishly decorated elephants. This is held in Esala (July or August) which is the month that is believed to commemorate the first teaching given by the Buddha after he attained enlightenment. The Kandy Esala Perahera lasts for ten days while various festivities can be witnessed right throughout. The Sinhalese term ‘Perahera’ means a parade of musicians, dancers, singers, acrobats and various other performers accompanied by a large number of caparisoned Tuskers and Elephants parading the streets in celebration of a religious event.
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The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
239 within 3 miles

Cafe Banana Chill
229
0.2 mi$ • Cafe • Healthy • Vegetarian Friendly

Mulberry SugarCarb
177
0.2 mi$ • European • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options

Sri Krishna Dosai
175
0.3 mi$ • Indian • Asian • Sri Lankan

Cool Corner Fried Ice Cream Parlor
314
0.3 mi$ • European • Healthy • Vegetarian Friendly

Cafe Secret Alley
349
0.2 mi$ • Cafe • Diner • Healthy

The Grill House
96
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Bar • Fast Food • Barbecue

Balaji Dosai
1,280
0.3 mi$ • Indian • Fast Food • Asian

Cafe Divine Street
387
0.2 mi$ • Fast Food • Street Food • Sri Lankan

Mystery Meat
46
0.2 mi$$$$ • Italian • International • Asian

Worldspice
269
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Sri Lankan • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Attractions
49 within 6 miles

Lord Kataragama Temple
53
0.1 miReligious Sites • Churches & Cathedrals

Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
12,002
0.5 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Religious Sites

Kandy View Point
927
0.2 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks

Ran Avuda Mandapaya
6
0.2 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks

Bahiravokanda Vihara Buddha Statue
1,161
0.3 miMonuments & Statues
Kattukalai Pilayar Kovil
1
0.2 miReligious Sites

Bogambara Prison
40
0.2 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks

St Anthony's Church
27
0.2 miReligious Sites • Churches & Cathedrals
Y.M.B.A
1
0.2 miGovernment Buildings

Red Mosque
7
0.2 miReligious Sites
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.0
163 reviews
Excellent
91
Very good
31
Average
17
Poor
7
Terrible
17
Shifaam
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates360 contributions
Friends
Amazing show but you need to have lots of energy to get to a right point. Beautiful to see hundreds of Drummers, Dancers together with dressed and decorated Elephants walk and dance on the streets. May be you can check out the tickets for the seats on the near by hotels, bit expensive. Since it's Sri Lankan's one of the most important ceremony lots of native Sri Lankans are waiting from early morning and super crowded, so plan early and reach early. The Show starts around 7-8 PM but you gotta be there at least by 3 PM to secure a place and its a long wait too.
Written April 20, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
MayMustafa
Amman, Jordan137 contributions
Family
first I would like to say that we intended to stay in Kandy during the festival as I read about it on trip advisor reviews...which where accurate by the way, especially one important piece of advise which told us not to buy the expensive ticket because we can see everything for free from the garden behind the fence.
the festival was breath taking with all the costumes , dancers, music ,,,I felt sorry for the elephants though ... they had to go through all the crowd, loud music, fire and endure heavy costumes put on them...for almost 4 or 5 hours.
You know that the festival is going to end . when an elephant dressed in white with a white glass cabinet on it ( where the sacred tooth of Buddha is kept ) comes striding gracefully ends the parade.
but all in all ...the festival was simply amazing!
I recommend anyone who goes to Srilanka to attend it ...it IS worth it.
the festival was breath taking with all the costumes , dancers, music ,,,I felt sorry for the elephants though ... they had to go through all the crowd, loud music, fire and endure heavy costumes put on them...for almost 4 or 5 hours.
You know that the festival is going to end . when an elephant dressed in white with a white glass cabinet on it ( where the sacred tooth of Buddha is kept ) comes striding gracefully ends the parade.
but all in all ...the festival was simply amazing!
I recommend anyone who goes to Srilanka to attend it ...it IS worth it.
Written July 5, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Malalama
Colombo, Sri Lanka23 contributions
Solo
The Esala Perahera is considered one of the most important Buddhist religious pageants in the world. It is held for 9 days in July and August every year in Kandy by the Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic), Sri Lanka.
It has Kumbal Perahera, Randoli Perahera and Maha Randoli Perahera the final day. Final Maha Randoli Perahera is held during night and is the most glamors event.
You will see hundreds of dances performing traditional dancing, drummers carrying various types of drums, Elephants in beautifully decorated cloaks, people in traditional Kandyan dresses, Kasakaruwo (Whip Crackers), etc.....
There are places available where you have to pay and book a seat. But you can watch this spectacular event free from the sidewalks and if you come a little early you can find a place to site comfortably.Bring water and food as you will not be able to move around when the processions start, it will be very crowded. People come from all over the world to see this.
I believe it is some thing that every one should watch at least once in there life time specially a Buddhist.
It has Kumbal Perahera, Randoli Perahera and Maha Randoli Perahera the final day. Final Maha Randoli Perahera is held during night and is the most glamors event.
You will see hundreds of dances performing traditional dancing, drummers carrying various types of drums, Elephants in beautifully decorated cloaks, people in traditional Kandyan dresses, Kasakaruwo (Whip Crackers), etc.....
There are places available where you have to pay and book a seat. But you can watch this spectacular event free from the sidewalks and if you come a little early you can find a place to site comfortably.Bring water and food as you will not be able to move around when the processions start, it will be very crowded. People come from all over the world to see this.
I believe it is some thing that every one should watch at least once in there life time specially a Buddhist.
Written March 22, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Amms35
Reading, UK5 contributions
Couples
So ironic that a Buddhist festival causes suffering to animals. We decided to see this festival as it happened to be on whilst we were visiting. Impressed with the dancing and music but it is incredibly cruel to the elephants. They have lots of heavy chains as leashes, their feet are tied up on short chain leeches meaning they can only shuffle along. It is clear to see the scars around their feet from the chains which have been cut and healed many times. We watched one handler hit an elephant that went out of line. A lot of them were chewing their trunks, I assume from anxiety as I have never seen the elephants do this before. It totally broke my heart there is no no excuse to put animals through this suffering, cultural or not. I cried through the parade and stopped watching. I was never warned so wanted to tell others.
Written August 20, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
carolinecrot
Brussels, Belgium13 contributions
Friends
The dancing, costumes and music etc are beautiful. The streets are lined with thousands of people however the cruelty to the elephants is really upsetting and it is difficult to enjoy the parade because of such. They are draped in heavy chains and lights and dragged along. It's so cruel however the rest of it was really interesting to see, but the elephants was a struggle to watch their treatment.
Written August 17, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
LittleLoudLucy
Berkhamsted, UK59 contributions
Couples
The Esala Perahera happened to be on during the dates we had booked for our trip so we though we'd make our way to Kandy for the first night of the parade. We'd read various reviews in advance about booking seats and decided to take a risk with the crowd (some places were charging more than tickets for a West End show to sit on a plastic chair in a shop front). The pavements had already started filling up by about 1pm so we moved away from the Temple of the Tooth further on the route and looked for spots. Eventually after a lot of people trying to sell us seats we ended up paying for spots on the pavement for about a fiver as we couldn't be bother to look anymore (and the further along the route you go the later the parade gets to you - obviously). That said, we sat on the pavement for at least 5 hours waiting for the big event to kick off. We occupied our time chatting to the families around us but it was a long and hot wait and there were no toilets nearby (to our knowledge).
Fast forward to the time the parade eventually arrived at us. The parade itself is a fantastic spectacle but there does come a point where it gets very monotonous and you start hoping it'll soon end.
The biggest issue for us was that we had just come from Minneriya, seeing 100+ wild elephants during the migration and contrasting that to seeing 40+ tuskers chained (tightly chained - we saw one elephant with a chain so tight it was cutting into its leg and clearly causing discomfort as it kept rubbing it with its other foot). These are the most beautiful and majestic animals and it was incredibly sad seeing them in this sort of captivity (to be honest I don't agree with seeing them in zoos either). My partner and I found it heartbreaking to watch. Its for this reason that I have rated it so low.
Fast forward to the time the parade eventually arrived at us. The parade itself is a fantastic spectacle but there does come a point where it gets very monotonous and you start hoping it'll soon end.
The biggest issue for us was that we had just come from Minneriya, seeing 100+ wild elephants during the migration and contrasting that to seeing 40+ tuskers chained (tightly chained - we saw one elephant with a chain so tight it was cutting into its leg and clearly causing discomfort as it kept rubbing it with its other foot). These are the most beautiful and majestic animals and it was incredibly sad seeing them in this sort of captivity (to be honest I don't agree with seeing them in zoos either). My partner and I found it heartbreaking to watch. Its for this reason that I have rated it so low.
Written August 25, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Derksen1989
Grave, The Netherlands7 contributions
Couples
If you read more about the circumstances the elephants live in and if you think about how it must be for them to have to walk through the crowded streets while there are thousands of people making noise it's impossible to enjoy this.
Written July 30, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Melissa N
Chicago, IL6 contributions
Couples
While there, was many elephants being abused with sharp pointed sticks. Bleeding elephants is not my idea of a fun time. So so very disappointing and sad for these magnificent animals that are"worshiped" in this manner.......
Written August 11, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Si M
4 contributions
Couples
I never saw so much animalcruelty during a festival. 40 elephants or more are treatened bad, hurt and shocked. They have to walk on chains for hours and have to face fire, people and a lot of loud sounds. They have to walk for hours and get nothing to eat or drink. And during the day they have to face the sun without protection or anything.
Written August 6, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
stevied1982
Dunlop, UK27 contributions
We didn't pay for tickets as there are lots of viewing points to see the parade for free. It was interesting to see and the fire throwing, costumes and music was great to see. However, I did not feel comfortable watching the elephants dressed up with light bulbs on. They are chained up all day every day and are forced into performing for hours on end. I read an article about a stampede last year and there's a YouTube video showing the elephants being mistreated and whipped. Absolutely awful watching these magnificent creatures being mistreated and forced to perform in the name of profit and money making.
Written August 7, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Lion17457
Marseille, France
Bonjour, Lion17457. Que voudriez-vous savoir sur cette attraction ?
Je pense assister en famille aux fêtes le 25/08.Je souhaite savoir s'il faut réserver dans les "corridors" à 100 euros ou faut il aller sur place le soir même et trouver un emplacement dans la rue ou sur trottoir.
D'ailleurs dans quelle rue faut il être.
Merci d'avance pour suggestions
Craig F
27 contributions
I will be in Kandy on July 23 or 24th. Will I be able to see the parade at this time? Does it go on for many nights in a row?
Karla S
14 contributions
Looking for some accomidation that will be central to the festival
Any ideas where best to stay, travelling with an 11yr old also
GozzoG
London, UK2 contributions
HI, I will join the perahera on 7/29. I was wondering that can we visit Sri Dalada Maligawa on 7/30 daytime ? And can we still do the worship to Saint tooth at 5:30 or 9:30 7/30 ? Thank you.
Some local people tell me that it seems change some rules this year. I email the temple but no reply.
ehw12016
Berlin, Germany
Sri Lanka - the Kandy Temple's Perahera - PLEASE DON'T VISIT THIS !!! You don't see what is happening behind the walls. The elephants are cruelly treated, hit with sticks and under pain and stress. With your visit you support their miserable life !! There is a video (unfortunately it is not allowed here!) were you can see that several men hit an elephant with sticks an one with a spear is stab the poor animal who tries to escape this torture! This is text from the description of the video: ----As you can see in this video, they are brutally abused by their so called 'caretakers' - mahouts who pretend to be their 'family' are stabbing them and maiming them away from the public eye. This never before seen candid footage has captured this to the shock and horror of many. In the video, the man who is yelling (sounds like a mahout) is saying "Anapiya anapiya! Kakulata!" (Anapiya - stab it, Kakulata - in the leg). You can then see the men with bull hooks stabbing them hard in the foot and leg area. It's really extremely shocking to see supposedly the most 'venerated' elephants such as the ones serving in this buddhist Esala perahera being brutally abused in this manner. The public think that these animals are treated like royalty and consider them 'BLESSED' as these animals are the 'CHOSEN ONES' that carry the most important relics and individuals in the holy ceremony. Hopefully now they will see the Esala perahera for the sham that it is. And if the ESALA perahera, which is meant to be the most prestigious and holy of peraheras treats it’s elephants in this manner, then you can just imagine how the temple elephants who serve in lesser known peraheras are treated.---------
PLEASE DON'T SUPPORT THIS CRUELTY - THE ANIMALS CAN'T DEFEND THEMSELVES THEY ARE AT THE MERCY OF THE HUMAN !
menemu
Vienna, Austria
Does somebody know if its worth to see the first day of the festival? (This year 8th of August) or are only the last days of the festival worth to see? It is the question now for me to stay in Kandy or leave to nuwara eliya...
Thanks for anwering!
Marlene
Kevin W
Singapore, Singapore264 contributions
Hey, i was wondering the same. Waiting for some bits of advice as well.
livlia
liverpool56 contributions
What is the most comfortable way to see this, by buying tickets or standing on the street, do you have to queue for a long time to get a good view point? Are there any restaurants that can be recommended to view and enjoy a meal? Trying to get an idea before we arrive.
Thank you
Roshan
London, UK220 contributions
To have a good view and stay comfortable you'll have to buy a viewing gallery ticket, the best place is Queens hotel. There are some other places as well, have a good one
Frequently Asked Questions about Esala Perahera Festival
- We recommend booking Esala Perahera Festival tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 11 Esala Perahera Festival tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Esala Perahera Festival:
- Kandy Esala Perahera - Day 11 (2022-Aug-12) (From $110.00)
- Kandy Esala Perahera - Day 01 (2022-Aug-02) (From $90.00)
- Kandy Esala Perahera - Day 02 (2022-Aug-03) (From $90.00)
- Kandy Esala Perahera - Day 03 (2022-Aug-04) (From $90.00)
- Kandy Esala Perahera - Day 04 (2022-Aug-05) (From $90.00)
- Hotels near Esala Perahera Festival:
- (0.10 mi) Kandy City Hotel
- (0.07 mi) The Elephant Shed - Tourist Hostel
- (0.09 mi) Impala City Hotel Kandy 50
- (0.05 mi) Kandy Tower Inn
- (0.05 mi) Heart of the City Hostel
- Restaurants near Esala Perahera Festival:
- (0.06 mi) Kandyan Muslim Hotel
- (0.10 mi) The Chill 'N Grill Cafe
- (0.13 mi) Ceylon Tea Cabin
- (0.11 mi) Soul Food
- (0.10 mi) The Last Drop Restaurant