SRI LANKA ~Kandy - Sri Dalada Perahera ~

...A unique symbol of Sri Lanka......magnificent elephant covered in lights carries the Golden Casket of what Buddhists believe is Buddha's tooth...with lovely matching elephant stamp... Many Thanks Ravindra!!

This historical procession is held annually to pay homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha, which is housed at the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy.

The Dalada Perahera is believed to have begun when the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha was brought to Sri Lanka from India during the 4th Century AD. King Kithsirimewan built a beautiful palace to enshrine the Tooth relic and began the annual perahera (procession) in honour of it.

The procession consists of many traditional local dances such as fire-dances, whip-dances, Kandyan dances and various other cultural dances, in addition to the elephants who are usually adorned with lavish garments.

Stamp:

Kumana national Park
 (Issued 26-01-2016)