Mary B. Wheeler Home

Lectures Home

Documentation Home

Lecture 1: Kashmir

Lecture 2: Sri Lanka

Lecture 3: M. Pradesh

Sri Lanka Lecture Sections:

Choose one... Sri Lanka Lecture Home Introduction and History Mahavamsa Irrigation and Artificial Lakes Fishing Village at Galle Anuradhapura and King Deva-Nampiya-Tissa Dagobas and Bodhi Shrines King Walagam Bahu and the Dambulla Caves King Kassapa and Sigiriya The Sigiriya Frescoes Parakrama Bahu I and Polonnaruwa Elephant Sightings in Sri Lanka Kandy, Temple of the Sacred Tooth Kandyan Traditional Dance The Perahera Festival at Kandy - Preparations The Perahera Festival at Kandy - Part II The Perahera Festival at Kandy - Finale

As the festival hits full swing, Raja the elephant descends the steps of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth relic, and begins his procession through the streets, carrying the sacred relic in a howdah on his back. He is accompanied by musicians, dancers, and honorable temple officials. Notably present in the procession are the images of Hindu deities, brought from each of the four Hindu Devale Temples, affirming their acknowledgement of the ultimate suzereignity of the Sacred Tooth temple.

back to top