The annual Esala Perahera of the historic Sri Dalada Maligawa will begin with the traditional “Kap” planting ceremony, or “Kap Situweema,” on August 13 at 6.17 a.m., Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela said.

Speaking at a media briefing held at the Sri Dalada Maligawa premises this afternoon (8), he said the official schedule for this year’s Esala Perahera, including the dates for the Kumbal and Randoli Peraheras.Following the ‘Kap’ planting ceremony, the internal Perahera will be held at the four main devales dedicated to Natha, Vishnu, Pattini and Kataragama from August 13 to 17.

The first Kumbal Perahera will take to the streets on August 18 and will continue nightly until August 22.The first Randoli Perahera is scheduled for August 23, with the final Randoli Perahera to be held on August 27.The traditional water-cutting ceremony and the Day Perahera will be held on August 28. On the same afternoon, the Diyawadana Nilame is scheduled to hand over the official Perahera message to the President at the President’s House in Kandy, marking the successful conclusion of the pageant.The briefing was attended by Narampanawe Sri Ananda, Mahawela Rathanapala, the Basnayake Nilames of the four Maha Devalas, Indika Udawatte, Sudath Masinghe and several other officials.