A RELIGIOUS FESTIVAL

   August is a important month.The Kandy 'perahera' is held in august.This procession is held for days.Lots of people come to see the perahera.It is very beautiful.There are many elephant in the perahera.There are dressed beautifully in clothes  of different designs and colours.The whip crackers announce the arrival of the perahera.They are followed by colourfully dressed dancers,drummers,tom-tom beaters,flag bearers and stile walkers.The torch bearers illuminate the path of the procession.
          The Kandy perahera is a religious festival.The Buddha's tooth relic is taken in the perahera. The place where the tooth relic is kept is called the 'dalada Maligawa'.The 'Diyawadana Nilame'is the guardian of the Dalada Maligawa and is an important person in the processing.The procession of the four devalas,Vishnu,Natha,Katharagama and Pattini join the Kandy perahera.
          Every year the tooth relic is taken out for the perahera.Only the Maligawa elephant will carry the beautifully decoratad erlic casket.He kneels and the casket is kept on his back.Then he walks very majestically in the procession.People young and old gather in thousands to see the perahera.