The ‘Janaraja Perahara’ which was hosted by the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy, at the request of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, paraded the streets of Kandy last night (19).

Tusker Kandula of the Kelani Rajamaha Vihara carried the emblem of ‘Janaraja Perahara’ while Dalada Kandula and Gemunu from Atthanagalla Rajamaha Vihara accompanied the tusker.

The event, which was held after a gap of 34 years, was organized to coincide with the 75th Independence Anniversary Celebrations and was attended by President Wickremesinghe and Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardhena.

The procession commenced at the Magul Maduwa premises and followed a route that included Dalada Veediya, Yatinuvara Veediya, Kanda Veediya, Raja Veediya, and ended at the temple.

The procession included cultural performances, such as dancing troops and caparisoned elephants, which added glitz and color to the event. A large crowd had gathered to watch the Janaraja Perahara procession.

The Janaraja Perahara was first organized in 1875 to celebrate the arrival of the Duke of Wales, the son of Queen Victoria, to Ceylon.

The procession was also held in 1954 when Queen Elizabeth II, the then-Head of State of Sri Lanka, visited the country. The Queen watched the Janaraja Perahara from the Patthirippuwa. In 1981, a similar procession was held, and Queen Elizabeth II watched the procession from a special platform built in the Maha Maluwa, the main courtyard.

The final Janaraja Perahara was held in 1987 for President J.R. Jayawardene.