05 August 2025
A night at Earl’s Regency: The ideal Kandy Esala Perahera experience
When July melts into August, the ancient city of Kandy transforms into a stage of sacred splendour. The Esala Perahera, the grandest cultural procession in Sri Lanka, fills its twilight streets with firelit ritual, thunderous Kandyan drums, and silk-draped elephants bearing the symbolic casket of the Sacred Tooth Relic. In 2025, the ten-day pageant begins on 30 July with the first Kumbal Perahera, rises to its greatest peak on 8 August with the Grand Randoli, and closes with the Diya Kepeema ritual at dawn at the Mahaweli River; a centuries-old invocation for peace, prosperity, and rain.
Rooted in 4th century tradition and refined under the patronage of King Kirti Sri Rajasinghe in the 18th century, the Perahera honours not only the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha but also the deities Natha, Vishnu, Kataragama, and Pattini. As the guardians of rain and harvest, their shrines join the procession in a prayerful convergence of devotion and cultural pride.
Perched above the city and just ten minutes from the Perahera route, Earl’s Regency offers the ideal sanctuary from which to witness this magnificent event. But staying here means more than just watching history unfold, it means experiencing it in unparalleled comfort.
Between processions, guests can unwind at the hotel’s tranquil spa, where signature therapies offer a perfect counterpoint to the energy of the festivities, enjoy afternoon tea on a mountain-view balcony, or dine on local and international cuisine at one of our gourmet restaurants. Every detail, from premium bedding and modern amenities to the warm hospitality of our staff, is designed to reflect the grandeur of the season.
This year, let your Perahera experience be framed by elegance, elevated by comfort, and enriched with cultural wonder. Join us at Earl’s Regency and make your journey to Kandy not just unforgettable, but extraordinary.