Perahera Essay:
Some Trails Are Not Meant To Vanish

Essay Writing Competition 2024
Category: 8 - 11 years
- Commendation -

commendedstar

Junior category: Commendation

Some Trails Are Not Meant To Vanish - Essay by Mumudi Gajadeera

perahera essay junior

Perahera Essay:
Some Trails Are Not Meant To Vanish

The most sacred elephant

With trunks, eight in number

And tusks no less than six

Bathing and frolicking in a pond

Not just any pond,

But in one of the 700 lotus ponds

Of the abode of the gods.

Gajaga Wannama, mixed with the characteristic vibrant sound of Geta Beraya, the traditional upcountry double membranous drum played with hand, will evoke strong emotions of reminiscence in any Sri Lankan. This is the unofficial theme of non-other than the Esala Perahera of Kandy.

And here I am witnessing the grand procession, for the first time in my life. All I can smell is the scorching fire of Whip Crackers nearby. I can hear heavy stomps of elephants, adorned in unique finely decorated dresses, proudly carrying the casket housing the Tooth Relic of Buddha. The thrill and excitement I am enveloped in, was beyond description.

Esala Perahara! The most spectacular procession of the country. It is an annual cultural procession which happens once a year and runs for 10 days. The climax is timed on the night of the Full Moon Poya Day of the month of August. This holy procession runs back to 3rd century BC, and it is a prayer for rainfall. The Tooth Relic of Buddha, housed in the Temple of Tooth Relic, is mounted on a carefully chosen royal elephant 'Maligawa Elephant', who carries the responsibility of transporting the relic along the streets of Kandy, the ancient kingdom.

Accompanying the Maligawa Elephant are numerous traditional local artists. Whip Crackers, torch holders, flag and canopy bearers, traditional drummers, Kandyan dancers are escorting the assemble of ‘Nilame’, the officials in charge of the Tooth Relic. The chief elephant is chaperoned by hundreds of equally ornamented elephants.

A daring and a breath-taking act is Fireball Acrobatics, which is performed by well-trained performers. The main procession is contributed by 4 other processions, each from 'Devala', the shines of 4 gods, Vishnu, Kataragama, Natha and Saman. When all artists, actually thousands of them, come together for the final procession, it is one enthralling assemble of traditional Sri Lankan arts and performances. These artists are well skilled and they have been a part of this holy happening for generations. They have dedicated their lives to keep these rare and strenuous art forms alive.

Thousands of local and foreign tourists visit Kandy to witness this remarkable gathering of unique artistic executions staged in the moon lit streets of the last kingdom of Sri Lanka. The night spent worths every second.

Looking at the full moon I cannot help, but wonder 'In hundred more years will this be the same? Will there be another 11 years older standing on this exact spot, mesmerized by what their country has saved for them. Will they know the hardships their fellow countrymen faced, to safeguard this heritage?'

With that I leave one last prayer 'Let them be strong enough as they have been all this time!'



In the Age category 8 - 11 years, Mumudi's intriguing account of the Perahera Festival is commended. Congratulations on your essay, Mumudi! We love reading your stories!

Mumudi Gajadeera attends Horizon College International in International, Colombo, Sri Lanka. Sinhalese is her home language.

Mumudi has participated in our competition before. Find her outstanding essays here:

The Perahera festival 2025 in Kandy will take place from 30 July to 9 August 2025. Read more here on the official Festival page.

Other Essays from Sri Lanka

Popular Pages

Asia Facts for Kids by Kids World Travel Guide
Asia Quiz for Kids by Kids World Travel Guide
landmarks_inasia
europequiz

Competition Winners 2024

essay 2024 pot of noodles
essay 2024 runner-up south africa
essay 2024 seollal runner up
essay2024_japan2
essay2024 pearloftheorientseas
essay winner 2024 senior aivind
essay2024_runnerup_ramlila
essay 2024 myidealculture

Competition Winners 2023

beingtheregalbird
ocean hatchlings

Competition Winners 2022

Essay Winner 2022: Australia
Roots Winner 2022: sri lanka
Bushy Winner 2022: australia
Happiness Winner 2022: india
Judo Winner 2022: france
DreamBig Winner 2022: india

Christmas Special Pages

christmas around the world by Kids World Travel Guide
Christmas Poems by Kids World Travel Guide
christmas traditions around the world by Kids World Travel Guide
how to say merry christmas

Recent Articles

  1. EU facts for kids | European Union Facts for kids | EU for Kids | 2024

    Dec 03, 24 08:37 AM

    Our EU facts will provide basic insight and fun facts about the European Union that are easy to read and understand

    Read More

  2. Philippines Facts for Kids | Philippines for Kids | Geography | Travel

    Nov 30, 24 11:41 AM

    Our Philippines Facts for Kids share fun facts for kids about the Asian country, her people, attractions and landmarks, economy, animals and so much more.

    Read More

  3. Essay Winners 2024 | Kids World Travel Guide | My Culture Infographic

    Nov 28, 24 09:37 AM

    Here they are... our Essay Competition Winners 2024! Congratulations to all the participants with winning and commended entries and Thank You to all

    Read More

  4. The New Year Traditions in Japan | Essays 2024 | Japan | My Culture

    Nov 27, 24 05:54 AM

    The New Year Traditions in Japan - Commended essay in the Kids World Travel Guide writing competition 2024

    Read More

  5. Perahera Essay 2024 | Junior | Sri Lanka | Culture

    Nov 27, 24 02:39 AM

    Perahera Essay - Commended Entry in the Junior Category of Kids World Travel Guide Competition

    Read More

  6. My Favourite Lantern Festival | Essays 2024 | Singapore | My Culture

    Nov 26, 24 10:47 AM

    My Favourite Lantern Festival - Commended essay in the Junior category of Kids World Travel Guide 2024

    Read More


Back from 'Perahera - My Hometown Pageant' to Essay Competition Winners Listing

Return to Kids-World-Travel-Guide Homepage


essay competition 2024 winners
Share this page:
Enjoy this page? Please pay it forward. Here's how...

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

  1. Click on the HTML link code below.
  2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.

Winning Essays 2024

essay 2024 pot of noodles
essay 2024 runner-up south africa
essay2024_japan2
essay 2024 seollal runner up
essay2024 pearloftheorientseas
essay winner 2024 senior aivind
essay 2024 myidealculture
essay2024_runnerup_ramlila


More about Countries and Territories in Asia

Bali temple in IndonesiaIndonesia
Nepali holimanNepal
Sri Lanka Tea PickerSri Lanka
Thailand Grand Palace in Asian sunsetThailand

Winning Essays
2021

Kids World Travel Guide essay winner 2021 - Only HopeKorea/ UAE
Kids World Travel Guide essay winners 2021 - HopeThailand
Kids World Travel Guide essay winners 2021 - Friendship ForeverChina
France
Morocco
Malaysia

Like what you read?

Join us on Facebook

Keep us bookmarked!