Kandy Esala Ceremony takes place From August 10 to 20 this year, the Kandy Esala procession will march the streets of the ancient Hill Capital. Headed by the Diyawadana Nilame of the Sri Dalada Maligawa, Nilanga Dela Bandara (Custodian), in association with the four Basnayake Nilames (Chief Custodians) of the four main devales (temples), the procession will follow traditional rites.
The glitzy pageant carried out in honor of the holy Tooth Relic of the Gautama Buddha delivers wealth, safety, and abundance to the country.
Once the Kandy Esala Ceremony was forbidden by the British Governor, the procession ultimately became supported by the state. One year the untimely pandemic had disrupted the holding of the historic pageant; but, the Governor, advised by the Maha Sangha, determined to host the pageant annually once the epidemic ended.
Apart from the religious side, the Kandy Esala Ceremony attracted international interest because of its lavish cultural presentations and range of entertainment.
Apart from banners and guidelines, the historic procession has whip crackers, rhythmic drumbeaters, clarinet blowers, amazing Kandyan dancers, torch bearers representing the traditional techniques. The elephants and tuskers majestically striding through packed streets, dressed in glitzy and finely crafted costumes, are most amazing sight.
Every year, people have much awaited Kandy Esala Ceremony
King Kithsiri Mevan (Megavanna) (301 – 328 BC) is the source of the Kandy Esala Perehera. State monarchs in India launched wars against one another repeatedly in order to claim procession of the Buddha’s Relict.
King Guhashiva of Kalinga had a Buddhist Sacred Tooth Relic in hand in the fourth century B.C. Two strong state princes waged war against King Guhashiva on the same grounds during the period. Realising the approaching danger, King Guhashiva was resolved not to turn over the Sacred Relics to adversaries.
In case they prevailed in combat, he so gave Prince Dantha and Princess Hemamali charge of defending the Sacred Relic from the enemy forces.
King Guhashiva directed them to be ready, to hide themselves, and to flee to Sri Lanka. As a royal gift from him, he wished them to present the Sacred Relic King Kithsiri Mevan of Anuradhapura.
Secret Mission of Princes Hemamali and Dantha
Hearing the death of King Guhashiva and the fall of the state, the pair sold their royal trappings, changed their appearance to fit Brahmin pilgrims, and started off on their quest.
Princess Hemamali wore the small golden Relic Casket quietly on top of her head under her knotted hair. Their work in espionage grew difficult and graphic. They had to go across wild animal-filled woodlands and go without rest or sleep day and night, therefore experiencing hunger and thirst. They could rely just on their guardian gods.
They came upon a sandy valley across the boundaries of the bush. The princess held the Relic Casket securely hidden on her head all along the trip. After a quick break, they planned to create a pagoda of sand under the Relic Casket hiding it.
A miracle happened as Relic’s beams of light lit while the pair was unwinding. An Arahant called Khema observed this splendor while walking by above. He dropped before the royal pair and listened to their great purpose. The Arahant blessed the young couple to safely get to their destination and offered his respect to the Buddha’s Relict. He also instructed them to keep in mind him should they encounter any calamity or impediment.
Prince Dantha and Princess Hemamali once more into calm deep sleep. Living by the Ganges River, a strong king cobra called Pandubhara saw the illuminations coming from the sand pagoda. Highly devoted, the Naga removed the Relic Casket covertly and disappeared to the huge Mountain “Mahameru”.
Rising from their sleep, the royal pair got ready to travel again and searched for the Golden Casket. The pagoda stayed unaltered, but to their horror they discovered the Sacred Relic vanished. This sudden mischief disappointed them, thus they prayed for Arahant Khema. Not only arrived but also tracked the location of Relic Casket.
Assumed to be an Eagle then, he stepped forward to face the strong Naga. Realising the Arahant had spiritual powers, Naga begged to be let to keep the Sacred Relic so he can get additional merits. More than a reptile having it, the Arahant said gently to the Naga, allowing the Relic Casket to reach the land of Sri Lanka, a meritorious country able of safeguarding, spreading, and preserving the doctrine of the Exalted One for the welfare of global society would generate more merits.
Happy with the find, the pair carrying the Sacred Relic arrived at a safe naval city known as “Tamalingamu”.
There, they were cordially greeted by a sizable gathering that greatly revered the Buddha’s Relic by rendering their great observation. The gods also sent flowers and fragrances.
Happy with the guarantee the Arahant Khema gave, the royals arrived at the Indian coast and hired a ship to travel to the island of Serendib.
The sky was blue and the waves were fit for the journey as the ship raced fast. The Prince and Princess carried poojas and presented alms to the Sacred Tooth Relic on their journey among the band and songs.
Once more, thousands of spiritually forward Nagas blocked their path as the reptiles of Naga Loka started to round the ship. The Sacred Relic materialized in the heavens for the benefit of all those wishing to pay their observation as the reptiles started to honor and worship. The happy Nagas then started to dance, offering their homage and obdurate until the ship stopped.
Once more, Arahant Khema’s influence cleaned the mess and the ship arrived at its fate turning golden pages in Sri Lankan history.
Prince Dantha and Princess Hemamali stayed guests of a Brahmin in a Kovil on their arrival on Sri Lankan territory. After that, the royal pair headed for the Capital of Anuradhapura following Brahmin’s advice. Arriving reaching Meghagiri Viharaya to meet the current Thera, they had a long distance walk across forest trails.
Having heard the account of the royal visits, the Maha Thera sent King Kithsiri Mevan (Megavanna an urgent message).
The King was ecstatic upon learning the friendly news and directed quick preparations to formally greet the royal guests and accept the priceless royal gift.
Initially King Kithsiri Mevan listened to the thorough series of events involving the royal pair that resulted in their espionage-style carrying of the Sacred Relic. Having paid proper respects and homage to the Buddha’s Relict, the King asked why the Sacred Relic had a dark shadow.
Dispelling all questions, the Sacred Relic sprang from the box looking in the heavens emanating a
Reception of Tooth relic of Buddha
Under Royal sponsorship, the city of Anuradhapura was gaily adorned, pandals were built and performed via a magnificent pageant Princess Hemamali and Prince Dantha, together with the holy Tooth Relic of the Gautama Buddha, escorted to the King’s Palace. When King Kithsiri Mevan arrived in the royal yard, he knelt and held the Sacred Relic on his head. Then he set the Sacred Golden Relic Casket on his regal throne, totally covered with jasmine blossoms. The King thus promised the island of Serendib and the people of our country custody and protection of the holy and precious Tooth Relic of the Buddha.
The King also set plans for the Princess and the Prince to live permanently in Sri Lanka.
The King also ordered a public display of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Anuradhapura in response to public outcry. Later, the Relic was housed in a specifically constructed chamber at the Isurumuni and Dhamma Cakka Vihara where offerings were made on a regular basis.
Following foreign threats, the Relic was covertly transferred to the peak of Udundora, in Southern Sri Lanka, several years later.
The Sacred Relic was returned to the then Capital Polonnaruwa under King Parakramabahu the Great and housed at the Dalada Maligawa.
Later, under numerous kings, the Relic was moved to several sites and reigning towns. From Kotmale, King Vijayabahu III transported the Sacred Relic to Dambadeniya. Under King Bhuvanekabahu I, it then passed from Rajangana to Yapahuwa. The Pandyans then invaded the city and stole the Tooth Relic to their nation; King Parakramabahu III, by diplomatic means and good contacts with Pandyan King Kulasekera, retrieved the Sacred Relic and returned it to Polonnaruwa. From Polonnaruwa, the Sacred Relic was transferred to Yapahuwa, Kurunegala, Gampola, then Kotte.
The Sacred Relic was surreptitiously transferred to Delgamu Viharaya, Ratnapura, and hidden during the Kotte conflicts.
Having built the present Sri Dalada Maligawa, King Vimaladharmasūriya of Kandy transported the Sacred Relic to Kandy in a great religious procession. Then once more, it was moved around occasionally to guard the valuable Relic. Originally housed at Ududumbara, Kivulgama, Pitigoda, Hanguranketha, Kandenuwara, Kotmale and Puhulpitiya, the Sacred Relic was permanently revered at the Sri Dalada Maligawa.
The Kandy Esala Ceremony
Processions and celebrations were conducted in the first stages of Kandyan Kings to call for the blessings of Gods Sri Vishnu, Kataragama, Natha and Patthini during the Esala season.
But King Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe brought in an era of religious rebirth for Sri Lanka. Most Ven. Asarana Sarana Saranankara Welivita Sri Sangaraja Mahathera of Malwatta Maha Viharaya Kandy restored the higher ordination at that time. As the King and Maha Sangha were present at the event, the Upali Maha Thera of Siyam suggested to the King that the Devala Perahera should lead such processions past the Sri Dalada Maligawa. Initiated by King Kirthi Sri Rajasinghe, the yearly Kandy Esala Ceremony is still carried out today.
But under certain circumstances the Relic was taken under British colonial control when Ceylon became a colony. The Mahasangha of the Asgiri and Malwatta Chapters grew unhappy with the British government not too long ago. Consequently, the great National Patriot Most Ven. Wariyapola Sri Sumangala Maha Thera, who deflagged the Union Jack, took custody of the Tooth Relic and vanished into the Dambulla forests under direction from the Kandyan chieftains. Learning that the Maha Nayaka of Asgiriya was hiding with the Sacred Relic, the British officials executed him and paid cash incentives for his capture—but nobody ever took advantage of the offer. Then they arbitrarily imprisoned forty Maha Sangha members for three years. At last, the issues were amicably resolved after peace discussions between the British and local leaders. Ven. Wariyapola Mahanayake Thera thereafter got back to Kandy. Ever then, the Sacred Relic stayed at the Sri Dalada Mandiraya Kandy.
The eight monarchs ruling the Mahabharata at the day divided the Relics of the Exalted One among them since the death of the Buddha. They were taken out under royal sponsorship in ceremonial processions and sporting vibrant flags.
