Nedungamuwe elephant king

We have a proud history and care a lot about our tooth relic. This Tooth Relic is like the crown jewel of Sinhala Buddhists. So we do variety of treats for it. The annual Dalada perahera is one of them. 

The procession will include Basnayaka Nilames, dance classes and elephant classes. This specialty of this is to display the Tooth Relic to the people and to bless the people. Carrying the Tooth Relic there is a very special task. For this we must have great charitable energy. This virtuous energy does not belong to  human being. Its charitable power belongs to the elephant king. This king also known as Kalawanna Pin Kanda. Everyone knowns him as the Elephant King of Nadungamuwa. In fact, this elephant has great deal of virtue. On the day of the Dalada Perahera, he carries the coffin of the  Tooth Relic in beautiful costumes and ornaments. This elephant pays more respects to he Tooth Relic than humans. Appreciating the service of the elephant king, Mr. Jananath Warakagoda composed a very beautiful song for him. 

Even if he is really elephant, we should keep flowers and pay homage to him.