This year’s Kandy Esala Perahera festival will commence on August 17 with the traditional "Kap" planting ceremony at the four Maha Devalayas, announced Diyawadana Nilame of Sri Dalada Maligawa Pradeep Nilanga Dela.

He further said that the “Kap” planting ceremony will be held at the four great temples of Natha, Vishnu, Kataragama and Pattini at the auspicious time of 6:12 am facing the northwest direction.

The Diyawadana Nilame announced the program at a discussion held at the Sri Dalada Maligawa Multipurpose Building yesterday (July 05) to discuss the organization of the Kandy Esala Perahera Festival.

After "Kap" planting in the four great Devales, five Devale peraheras (processions) will be held for the next five nights.

The Esala Festival will commence at the first Kumbal Perahera, which will take to the streets on August 21 and parade the streets for five days until August 25th.

Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela says the first Randoli Perahera will take to the streets on August 26th after a five day Kumbal Perahera.

The final Randoli Perahera will be held on the Nikini Full Poya Day on 30th August and the Kandy Esala Perahera will conclude with a daytime Perahera and water cutting ceremony on the following day on 31 August with the presentation of he Sandeshaya to the President at the President’s House in Kandy