The hill capital of Kandy will come alive tonight as the Final Randoli Perahera of the world-renowned Sri Dalada Esala Perahera parades through its historic streets, marking the grand culmination of this year’s sacred festivities.
Commencing at 6:51 p.m., the majestic procession will pay homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha, carrying centuries of tradition, devotion, and artistry. The streets will glow with the light of hundreds of flaming torches, the rhythmic beats of traditional drummers, and the graceful steps of cultural dancers, while the majestic tuskers lead the way bearing the revered relic casket.
The Perahera will take its traditional route — Dalada Veediya, Yatinuwara Veediya, Kande Veediya, D.S. Senanayake Veediya, and Raja Veediya — before returning to the Sri Dalada Maligawa. Thousands of devotees, tourists, and cultural enthusiasts are expected to gather, with special security measures and traffic controls in place, along with additional train services to accommodate the influx of visitors.
The Final Randoli Perahera represents the spiritual peak of the nine-day festival, blending deep Buddhist reverence with Sri Lanka’s vibrant cultural heritage. Following tonight’s procession, the festivities will continue tomorrow with the Diya Kapeema (Water-cutting Ceremony) at Getambe in the early morning and the Dahawal Perahera in the afternoon, officially concluding the 2025 celebrations.
For Sri Lankans and global visitors alike, the Sri Dalada Perahera is not just a religious observance but a dazzling cultural experience, reaffirming Kandy’s place as the heart of the island’s spiritual tradition.