SRI LANKA ~ Kandy Perahera Festival ~

... Beautiful decorated elephants....during the event, they’re presented as being “sacred animals” because they are transporting the sacred Tooth... Kandy Perahera, one of Asia's highly traditional and most spectacular parades, takes place in the Buddhist month of Esala, usually in August... with also  hundreds of dances performing traditional dancing, drummers carrying various types of drums, fire and people in traditional Kandyan dresses... considered one of the main tourist attractions and watched by about 500.000 people... I know it is tradition but I think the elephants don't feel so happy here... dressed up and with all that noise... Thanks a lot Ravindra!!【ツ】

The Kandy Esala Perahera festival also known as The Festival of the Tooth is one of the oldest Buddhist festivals in Sri Lanka. It began as a procession that took place in the 4th century, when a relic – a tooth that was believed to belong to the Buddha – arrived on the island from India. The festival has taken place every August since 1754.

During the procession, up to 200 elephants wearing beautiful costumes take turns carrying the relic.

Stamp:

Visit of Gudrun Yngvardottir - Lions Clubs International President
(Issued 03-12-2018)