Can you touch the elephants at the Kandy Perahera.

You absolutely must never attempt to touch or approach the elephants during the Perahera. It is incredibly highly dangerous and strictly forbidden by the heavy military and police security lining the entire parade route. The elephants are massive powerful animals marching through intensely stressful conditions with deafening drums and blazing fire torches. Trying to pet them could trigger a highly aggressive fatal reaction. You must remain securely seated in your designated viewing area behind the barricades at all times and simply admire the spectacle safely from a distance.