Our Heritage running in My blood

Monday, 16th of January 2023

 Our Heritage running in My blood

( Documentary about Kandy Esala Perahera from Extension of My life) 

"Thaalam" dancing group of Sri Candananda Buddhist College

💫   Among the blessing I  have received in my life is this holy mandate, participating as an artist in the Kandy Esala Perahera Ceremony, Which is one of the most important festival of the Sri Lankan Buddhist society, and performed sacrifice for the sacred tooth relic of lord Buddha.

💫   My teacher, Mr. Nimesh Indeewara Sumanarathna, who is the one of the dancing director of Sri Dalada Maligawa, gave me this great opportunity in my life. and also ima member of the National Dancing Troupe of Sri Candananda Buddhist College Kandy.

💫   I started dancing under the guidance of my dear teachers and participated in the perahera ceremony for the first time in 2013 with my experience in performing arts.

Performing at Perahera ceremony

💫   The purpose of this task which is organized in the month of August is to make offering to the sacred tooth relic and bring prosperity to the country through agriculture and positive governance.

💫   The perahera festival consists of many attractive elements and Sri Dalada Maligawa has many dedicated artists. So the procession season is like to new year celebration for them.

💫   Since the time of the Kandiyan Kings about two thousand years ago, this responsibility has been carried out continously even today. It is held by Diyawadana NIlame, the caretaker of Sri Dalada Maligawa.

💫   Among the traditional dances, Only kandiyan dances are danced in the Dalada Perahera in Kandy. This festival is colourful with traditional classical and folk dances.

Sacred golden casket of tooth relic with tuskers.

💫   It was also very empowering for me to have the company of expert artists who participated in dancing and drumming for this annual sacred festival.

💫   People from many cities of Sri lanka come to watch this event live and pay obeisance to the golden casket call " Dalada Karaduwa" for the ten day long procession.

💫   Performing the procession for the tooth relic of the living Lord Buddha is truly blessed, it is not easily acquired. The fact that I was lucky enough to get that opportunity may be the result of the merits I have done in every past souls.

💫   I invite you to come to Kandy once as a bravely kandiyan person, to witness this sacred occasion and offer sacrifice.

Kandy city

Blog by - Chathuranga Lakshan Perera

              ( President awarded,  National State awarded traditional drummer and artist of Sri Chandananda Buddhist College and Sri Dalada Maligawa)