The procession, held on the full moon day on 8th January' 2012, commemorates the visit of Lord Buddha to the temple.

Hundreds of traditional dancers, drummers, decorated elephants and monks take part in the annual procession, considered one of the country's biggest Buddhist procession.

Hundreds of devotees and onlookers gathered for the annual elephant pageant, held on the night before the full moon day in January, to commemorate the visit of Lord Buddha to the temple. Dozens of colourful traditional dancers, drummers, whip crackers, fire eaters, musicians and devotees take part in the pageant that parades through the main streets of Kelaniya.