Well, it's over. 10 days of ever multiplying processions, elephants, fire dancers, musicians, the most revered religious relics from 5 temples (featuring, of course, the Sacred Tooth Relic). The festival culminates on the full moon poya (last night), but includes, for some reason, a day time procession (today). We saw an hour or two last night (of the 6 + possible!!!), but from quite a distance... still, it was exciting to be out under the full moon, with the fire and smoke and whining horns, the drums, and with a million people (spread over the whole route) - the more devout praying as elephants carried the relics by, or rushing in to offer the elephants pineapples, watermelons, coconuts (which they smash violently on the street as the elephants approach) and canes of sugar...
others find the occasion a good excuse to get drunk... I can't post videos here, but below are some photos - the crowds in the rain before it started, the dancers and musicians, etc. The elephant thing was difficult for me - I felt ashamed to be human, and could not look them in the eye any of the numerous times I had the opportunity to do so...
1 Comment
Shelly kushin
8/22/2016 09:36:13 pm
So enjoying your blog. Feel like I'm right there with you.
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December 2016
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