Historic Kandy Esala Perahera festival in Sri Lanka begins with "Kap" ceremony

The historic Esala Perahera got off to a start this afternoon with the traditional "Kap" planting ceremony at an auspicious time.


The ceremony, a tradition being carried from the eras of Kings, began with planting the 'Kap' in the premises of the four Devales dedicated to four guardian gods, Natha, Vishnu, Pathini and Kataragama.
The four inner Devale processions will be held from tonight for 5 days. The Kumbal Perahera is scheduled to be held from the 15th up to the 19th. The final Randoli Perahera will begin on the 20th and continue until the 24th. The historic Kandy Esala Perahera festival will conclude with the Day Perahera and water cutting ceremony on the 25th.
Meanwhile, the police will deploy about 4,000 policemen to provide security to the public with the beginning of Kumbal Perahera, Central Province West Deputy Inspector General of Police Pujith Jayasundara said.
The police expect a large crowd in the hill capital to see the Perahera.