Whip-cracker just cracked two metres from us - is this normal or do we pull the kid back
We thought the loud cracks were fireworks. They are men with actual whips opening the road and one of them just cracked so close the kid's hands went over his ears and stayed there. Is this the tradition or did we stand in the wrong place. Do they keep doing it after the elephants pass.
More
3 Answers from travellers
Normal. Whip-crackers (kasa karayo) open the Perahera. The sound is the point - thunder clearing the path - and they work close. It is not aimed at you. Pull the kid one row back if it is too much; do not shout at the whipper, and do not step into his lane. DIG yesterday asked spectators not to treat this as a carnival. The cracks continue as the head of the procession moves, not as a finale.
We were too close on Wednesday. One row back is a different body feeling. Ear muffs for small kids are not overkill.
Fire dancers and torch bearers follow the whips. If you are close enough to smell the coconut-fibre torches, you are close enough. Pavement side of the tape, not the road.
You must be logged in to post an answer.
Log In to AnswerRelated questions
- How much do Kandy Perahera tickets cost for foreigners.3 answers
- How many days do I genuinely need for Sri Lanka without rushing it5 answers
- When are the dates for the Kandy Esala Perahera in 2026?1 answer
- A small village perahera procession not the big Kandy one can I see a local temple procession and how2 answers
- Yielding to wild elephants vs cultural processions on rural roads3 answers
- Are there strict rules on what you can bring into national parks on safari3 answers
Join a Crew
Kandy Perahera Live Tonight
Perahera Seats, Hotels & Roads
Dalada & Perahera Culture