Final Randoli procession of Kandy Esala festival begins

The final Randoli procession of the historic Kandy Esala festival began street parading.

It commenced at the auspicious time of 6:43 PM.

The privilege of carrying the Sacred Relic Casket in the final Randoli procession of Kandy was granted to the tusker Wasana.

Found lost in a forest area in the Anuradhapura District, Wasana was brought to the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage and subsequently offered to the Ruhunu Maha Katharagama Devalaya in 1978 by the then Minister Wimala Kannangara.

From then until today, this tusker remains under the custody of the Ruhunu Maha Katharagama Devalaya.

Possessing a very attractive and majestic appearance, the Wasana tusker is currently 55 years old.

Wasana is about 11 feet in height.

Today, the tuskers Sinha Raja and Pulathisi Raja will process alongside as the side tuskers in the final Randoli procession.

The procession is scheduled to parade along Lake Road, Dalada Street, Yatinuwara Street, Kanda Street, D. S. Senanayake Street, and Raja Street before returning to the temple.

A large number of people had arrived in Kandy since this morning to watch the procession.

The police are implementing a special security plan for the procession, alongside a special traffic plan.

Meanwhile, following the water-cutting ceremony at the Getambe ferry tomorrow morning, the Esala festival will conclude with the day procession.

Thereafter, a message stating the successful completion of the procession activities will be handed over to the President in a memorandum by the Chief Custodian together with the Nilames of the Four Maha Devalayas, and that official ceremony is scheduled to take place tomorrow afternoon at the President's House in Kandy.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is also scheduled to attend to watch the final Randoli procession today.

The final Randoli procession of the Kandy Esala Perahera festival will be broadcast on Hiru TV from 10:30 PM tonight.