There are two kinds of pagents. The first is called the "Kumbal Perahera" which parades for the first 5 nights. Then the "Randoli Perahera" which parades the last 5 nights. The last nights perahera is the grandest of all. Randoli means the ‘Queen’s Palanquin’. Up to 1775 A.D palanquins were carried alongside the elephants in the perahera. The elephants are dressed in colourful silk costumes. The number of elephants increase daily making the perahera more spectacular each night. The Maligawa perahera is followed by those of the 4 devales(hindu temples). It is illuminated by torchbearers because it is held in the night.

First of all the whip crackers crack their whips to announce the Perehera. Next comes the flag bearers carrying all kinds of flags,  followed by an official who is called the Peramunerala riding on the first elephant. After them comes the drummers. The Gajanayake Nilame, who is a very high official, is the next in line. The highlight of the procession is the Maligawa Tusker carrying the tooth relic of Lord Buddha. The Tusker is in between the dancers and drummers.The Diyawadana Nilame who walks in all the oriental splendour comes after the Tusker. The palanquins, which are also called the randolis, come next. The water cutting ceremony is held at dawn followed by the last perahera on the full moon day.