1.
GV Traditional dancers and drummers with torches. (3 shots)
0.04

2.
SV Elephants in procession.
0.22

3.
GV Drummers and dancers.
0.26

4.
SV Rajah (chief elephant) carrying sacred tooth of Lord Buddha. (2 shots)
0.32

5.
SV Elephants in procession.
0.37

6.
GV Dancers lining route.
0.43

7.
SV Chieftains in Kandyan dress in procession.
0.51

8.
LV Elephants and drummers in procession. (2 shots)
1.04



Initials WLW/VS 23.50 WLW/VS 0.03



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: The historic city of Kandy, in Sri Lanka (Ceylon) has again been the scene of the annual Esala Perahera festival, culminating in a procession of native dancers and drummers, and elephants.

The chief elephant from the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy joins the procession carrying a golden casket containing the tooth of the Lord Buddha. The Elephant, called Raja, carries the casket along a route covered with white cloth.

The festival was originally held in honour of four Hindu deities, but has been dedicated to the Buddha since the 18th century.