Cultural Dancing Show

Building, a wooden hall sheltering the Tooth Relic and crowned by a gilded roof, is from the 17th century. This two-storeyed central edifice of the Tooth Temple complex is the most significant example of Kandyan wood architecture.

Starting in the evening, Kandy cultural show captivates your ears and eyes with spectacular displays of local culture and art. You will see drummers, fire dancers, and more in a cultural spectacle covering various aspects of Sri Lanka’s traditions in this one-hour show. this cultural show depicts various forms of Kandyan dancing which was once native to the area but has now spread to different regions of the island.

The beat a dancing from “Salupliya” depicting several demons, “Thelme” vibrant expression of low country rhythm, Fire and Harvest dances accompanied by Ceremonial Drums and the Drum Orchestra rising and falling to the lively tempo. As many as 12 different folk and traditional dances are performed by the Kandy lake club dance troop within the span of one hour.

The highlight of the show is the fire walking show, where the artists walk through a specially prepared fire pit, roughly 8 feet by 3 feet covered with red-hot charcoal, completely barefoot and emerge unharmed at the other end! Kandy cultural show leaflet describes the fire walking as having its roots in the Valmiki epic of “Ramayana”, where the king of Sri Lanka Ravana abducts “Sita” the wife of Indian prince Rama and after regaining her in an epic battle with Ravana, she is made to prove her chastity by walking through fire barefoot, though the current devotees who perform fire walking in Sri Lanka seek the divine blessings of the Lord Karthikeyan & goddess Pathini.

Originated from a dance performed by Indian shamans who came to the island, Kandyan dancing plays an important role in Sri Lankan culture and is a much-anticipated event during Perahera processions. During the show, you will see several dances which depict the graceful movements of birds and animals, which trace their origins back to the ancient ritual known as the Kohomba Kapkariya, as well as energetic acrobatic performances where the men perform a series of leaping pirouettes and stunts such as plate-spinning and the dramatic ‘fire walk’ which ends the show.

Show Timing

Starting Time of the Show – 5.30 PM
The performance normally lasts for an hour until 6 pm, just in time to get to the evening puja ceremony, which takes place within The Temple of The Tooth at around 6.30 pm