Attending To The Longest Religious & Cultural Festival In Sri Lanka - The Kandy Esala Perahera 🇱

The Kandy Esala Perahera is one of the most spectacular and significant cultural festivals in Sri Lanka, held annually in the city of Kandy. This grand event typically takes place in July or August, coinciding with the full moon of the Esala month in the Sinhalese calendar. The festival celebrates the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha, which is housed in the Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa).

The origins of the Esala Perahera date back to ancient times when it was initiated as a way to honor the tooth relic and seek blessings for prosperity and good harvests. The festival is a colorful spectacle that features a grand procession, showcasing traditional dancers, drummers, and beautifully adorned elephants.

The highlight of the Perahera is the majestic elephant carrying a replica of the Sacred Tooth Relic, leading the procession through the streets of Kandy. The atmosphere is filled with vibrant music, colorful costumes, and the aroma of traditional foods. Each night of the festival is dedicated to different deities, including Sri Vishnu, Natha, and the goddess Pattini, with special rituals performed to invoke their blessings.

The procession is a deep expression of devotion that not only reflects the rich cultural heritage of Sri Lanka but also fosters a sense of community as people participate in the festivities. The Kandy Esala Perahera attracts thousands of visitors from around the world, making it a truly remarkable experience that highlights the spiritual and artistic traditions of the country.
________________________________________
Sri Lanka is a paradise for visitors, but this beautiful island also faces significant challenges, particularly in rural areas. One of the most significant issues is education, which has a direct impact on the future of the country's younger generations. 🇱🇰❤

GoFundMe link: https://gofund.me/0fc2adb3

There are still villages where children and youth lack the essential facilities to improve their quality of education and learn new skills involving technology, unlike kids in urban areas. This is our opportunity to create direct experiences for this generation, bridging the urban-rural gap to make a difference by offering equal opportunities, which have been a privilege for many of us.

Therefore, I am working with the Foundation of Goodness, which is already doing a tremendous job of supporting the local communities in the villages despite the tsunami and economic crisis. FOG already has fully functioning 21 Village Heartbeat Empowerment Centres in action, islandwide, delivering a range of empowerment courses & initiatives.

Our goal with 30,000 USD (47,000 AUD):

Support +600 Village Students with their education;
Free Education for one full year;
Students from 40 different villages will be impacted;
Students will benefit from a range of courses, including languages, mathematics, Women's Empowerment Programmes, sports, life skills, good values, and more.

GoFundMe link: https://gofund.me/0fc2adb3

This means that every $50 USD (approximately $78 AUD) donation supports one village student for a year with their education.

Thank you for being part of the community and supporting a rural empowerment project in Sri Lanka! 🇱🇰❤
________________________________________
0:00 - Granbell Hotel Colombo;
5:21 - Train Ride to Kandy;
21:45 - Kandy And Accommodation;
32:55 - Securing My Festival Spot;
43:39 - Lunch Experience;
52:59 - Ready For The Festival;
01:02:39 - The Kandy Esala Perahera;
01:20:07 - More Performances.
________________________________________
Quit my corporate job in September 2021 to chase new destinations and document my life. I am following my passion for creating experience-driven travel videos with a human touch.

Let's stay connected:
✅ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DavudAkhundzada
✅ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davud/
✅ TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMeSm6Pby/
✅ YouTube Shorts: https://www.youtube.com/c/DavudAkhundzadaSHORTS
✅ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Davud_Akh

Support My Work:
✖ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/DavudAkhundzada
✖ My Website: https://www.akhundzadadavud.com/