At this historic temple a procession known as “the Duruthu Perahera” is held on the pre-full moon poya day of the month of Duruthu (January) every year. On this occasion, hundreds and thousands of people from all parts of the country, and hundreds of foreign tourists trek their way to the temple purlieu to witness this spectacular pageant. All the roads around Kelaniya on this day seem, as it were, to lead to Kelaniya and nowhere else.
The procession, by itself, is a ritual depicting the nation’s age-old religious customs and ceremonies. It displays the ancient traditions and the cultural heritage of the country. It demonstrates to the world the age-old traditional folklore, folk music and the rhythmic dance forms and drum beats which have developed throughout the ages around Buddhism and Buddhist practices in the island.
Tickets: Rs 1,500.00 Entrance to Tourist Enclosure
Contact: WWW.srilanaka.travel, www.kelaniyatemple.org
