Poya Full Moon Procession

The elephants began leaving the park once they were dressed, and we were told the procession would start at 6:30 and go around the lake to the Temple. We walked until we found where the rest of the procession, I.e., dancers, drummers, flag bearers, flute players, more drummers, were waiting to start. We went to where it would start and found seats on the steps of a bank. For the first 30 minutes we were the only ones there and everyone else was headed more toward the temple. Then the fireworks began, then the procession, with endless troupes of dancers, drummer, singers, flag carriers, etc., etc. It was a long time before we saw any elephants, and they were interspersed with the performers. We didn't stay for the whole thing, but I think the last photo of the elephants with the lights on them would have been the finale. I spoke with a young man at our hotel and he said it was a special Poya day, with 1000 performers which happens only once a year. The elephants are in it 3 or 4 times a year. He also said there is a special one in Kandy that is the best one in Sri Lanka. I really felt like I had gone back in time to the old Ceylon.....perhaps royalty would be on the next elephant. It was a magical night.