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ALSO
A NOTE …..
An up-close look at elephants participating in these parades reveals a striking blend of religious pageantry and ethical challenges: [1]
- Regal Garb: During the Perahera (Festival of the Tooth), elephants are adorned with lavish, illuminated costumes, including intricately embroidered cloaks, headpieces, and decorative lightbulbs. The most honored tuskers—known as the Maligawa Tuskers—carry the casket that holds the sacred relic. [1, 2, 3, 4]
- The Parade Experience: Parades take place at night and involve fire dancers, loud drums, whip cracking, and firecrackers. The events last for multiple hours over consecutive nights.
Sri Lankan elephants are prominent symbols of the country’s rich cultural history. However, their participation in the country’s vibrant night festivals—most notably the historic Kandy Esala Perahera—is a deeply complex issue. While majestic to witness, these elephants face exhaustion and stress under bright lights, noise, and chains. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]