The Diyawadana Nilame of the Sri Dalada Maligawa Nilanga Dela said that the Kandy Esala Perahera festival will begin on August 17 with the kap planting ceremonies of the four devalas at an auspicious time. He said that at the auspicious time of 6.12 am the ritual of kap planting of the Natha, Vishnu, Kataragama and Paththini devala will take place in a Northwesterly direction.
