evidence: The historic Kandy Esala Perahera will parade the streets of the ancient Hill Capital, from August 10-20 this year. The procession will be conducted in line with traditional rituals, and will be headed by the Diyawadana Nilame of the Sri Dalada Maligawa, Nilanga Dela Bandara (Custodian) in association with the four Basnayake Nilames (Chief Custodians) of the four main devales (temples): Vishnu, Natha, Patthini and Kataragama. [...] The origins of the Kandy Esala Perehera dates back to King Kithsiri Mevan (Megavanna) (301 – 328 BC). Time and again, state kings in India waged wars against each other to take procession of the Buddha’s Relics. [...] However, an era of religious renaissance was ushered in Sri Lanka during the reign of King Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe. At the time, most Ven. Asarana Sarana Saranankara Welivita Sri Sangaraja Mahathera of Malwatta Maha Viharaya Kandy, reestablished the higher ordination. Once the Devala Perahera went past the Sri Dalada Maligawa while the King and Maha Sangha were present at the occasion, the Upali Maha Thera of Siyam, proposed to the King that the Sri Dalada Perahera should lead such processions. Thus, the annual Kandy Esala Perahera was initiated by the King Kirthi Sri Rajasinghe, and is carried out to date.