Kandy Esala Perahera

Visiting Kandy during the Perahera is an unforgettable experience — a night alive with tradition, lights, and rhythm. However, reaching the city can be difficult if you're staying outside. To avoid inconvenience, begin your journey around 2:00 PM. Road closures start at 5:30 PM, and traffic becomes intense soon after. After this time, the Perahera route is closed to vehicles, and you’ll need to walk into the city. Attempting to enter after 5:30 PM is not advised due to the crowds and restrictions. Both locals and foreign guests will fill the streets to witness the spectacle. Get a comfortable and safe seat along the route with a good view, contact us through Tourstro, a travel agency. Prices and seat options depend on the location and available facilities. Then you can choose a seat of your choice at a price you like. This Esala Perahera is a very sacred event. Therefore, it is good to be careful about your attire before attending the event. So, please ensure you dress modestly and then proceed. Additionally, since each of these peraheras lasts between 2.5 and 3 hours, it is worthwhile to have a dress that you can comfortably wear for that long. Then you can enjoy the beautiful view of this perahera in comfort and modesty. The other main thing is to leave after the ceremony. This stage of the Perahera can test your patience and planning. Because the crowd is so large, everyone is ready to go home after the perahera is over. Then the road is full of people. So let the emergency people escape first, and then you go out calmly and patiently. The procession, filled with twinkling lights, rhythmic drumming, dancers, and elephants, is truly magical. As you enjoy this religious festival, the beauty of the night will be etched in your heart without you even realising it.