The
annual Dalanda Perahara (Esala Perahara) held in honor of the tooth relic of
lord Buddha traces its origins back to the period of king kithsirimewan who was also known by the name of Kirthi Siri Meghawarna. He succeeded
his father Mahasen to the Anuradhapura kingdom and can be fairly
given credit to as the one who brought to light the areas kept in darkness by
his father. His reign was of much significance especially due to the fact that
the sacred tooth relic of the lord Buddha was brought to Sri Lanka during his time.
To elaborate, in honor of the sacred tooth relic, an annual procession called a
Dalanda Perahara had begun by the king. It is said in the Mahavamsa that in the ninth year from his advancement to the
throne, a Brahmin woman brought the tooth relic of the lord Buddha to Sri Lanka
from Kalingu rata and king Kithsirimevan, having it handed over to
him, made offerings to it with high respect which was afterwards placed by him
in a golden reliquary and installed in the house called Damsak built by king Dewanampiyatissa
within Rajaramaya. By then onwards,
that house was known by the name of Datadathugara.
From that time, the king, by spending nine lakhs started the grand Dalanda
procession. He ordered to carry the tooth relic to the Abayagiriya every once a year and to continue with such
processions.
