Thousands gathered for the Kandy ‘Esala Perahera’ – also known as the ‘Festival of the Tooth’ – in the Sri Lankan city on Tuesday, to celebrate the country’s rich Buddhist culture.
This annual spectacle pays homage to the sacred relic of the tooth of Buddha, the founder of the religion.
Footage features dancers performing in the streets, decorated elephants and performers wielding shields and swords.
This festival is unique to Sri Lanka, and showcases an array of traditional local music, fire dances, and ‘whip-dance’ performances.
This year’s displays and processions began on August 21 and continue until August 31, welcoming both local believers and international tourists.
The relic itself is housed in Sri Dalada Maligawa, the ‘Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic’, in Kandy.
