Benefits to Bandwidth

Right at the moment, there's an event occurring in Sri Lanka. It's happening in Kandy, a city in the hill country. The celebration has roots dating back at least 2,300 years. The modern Esala Perahera is from about the middle of the 1700's. At the time, a Kandian king was in charge of the ancient Tooth Relic of the Buddha. He deemed that it be brought out for public viewing in a procession. Since the kingdom came under British control in 1815, the relics are cared for by Buddhist clergy. The public viewing is still tradition.

The parade or procession or starts things off on the full-moon night this month. Human dancers participate but the elephants are decorated in fine trimmings and even electric lights.

Of course it is already tonight in Sri Lanka as they're twelve and a half hours ahead of Vancouver time. We're watching now via Rupavahini television. They stream their broadcasts over the Internet. I'm streaming from my computer through the PS3. The picture is quite blurry and movement sometimes jerky, but this wasn't even possible until recently. Imagine, because of IP, I'm able to watch live TV from so far away. Although I've visited and taken pictures in Kandy on several occasions, this is my first opportunity to see the Perahera.

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Since this blog began, we've twice visited the island. Check out the entries from the 2004 and 2006 journeys. Remember, they're arranged in reverse-chronological order.