Dates Announced for the Historic Kandy Esala Perahera Festival 2026

A special media briefing to announce the schedule and traditional rituals of the historic 2026 Kandy Esala Perahera festival was held this afternoon (08) at the auditorium of the Sri Dalada Maligawa.

Accordingly, the Kumbal Perahera festival is scheduled to be held from August 18 to 22, followed by the Randoli Perahera festival from August 23 to 26. This year’s Esala Perahera festival will conclude with the water-cutting ceremony (Diya Kepeema) in the early hours of August 27, followed by the Day Perahera parading the streets later that day.

The discussion was presided over by the Most Venerable Narampanawa Ananda Thera, Anunayake Thera of the Asgiri Maha Vihara Chapter of the Siam Maha Nikaya. Hon. Diyawadana Nilame of the Sri Dalada Maligawa, Basnayake Nilames, and several high-ranking officials from relevant government institutions were also present at the occasion.