The Kataragama Esala Perahera is a cultural pageant and it is held in the months of July & August. The procession draws in large crowds of people, some who make unfailing visits every year- turning the sacred land into colours, rhythm and devotion. The festival finds its beginnings in the kap situweema (planting of trees), which takes place as preparation for the festival and occurs 45 days before the festival. The festival ends with the diyakapimey mangallaya (water cutting ceremony), where a ceremonial sword is used to part the waters of the Menik Ganga, and pots of water are collected from the point of parting – its touch said to invoke good luck. While elephants take center stage at this parade, regional dance performances burst into view, followed by ceremonial fire walkers, fire eaters, singers, musicians and a myriad of acrobatics and jugglers engulfing the streets in Kataragama.