Month of Esala (July), during which period this annual pageant is usually held, had been considered a month of celebrations and festivity, both among Indians and Sri Lankans. Even from the lifetime of the Buddha in the 6th century BC, the Esala festival was held to commemorate the Buddha's Conception, his Renunciation and the First Sermon. Esala is also considered to be the beginning of the raining season (Vassana) when the monks commence their Retreat.
In August – September every year, the receding banks of the Minneriya Lake are covered by about 300 Asian elephants in search of food and water. This spectacular phenomenon known as ‘the Gathering’ is possibly the highest concentration of Asian elephants in a single location and is an ideal setting to observe and understand the social dynamics of elephants, especially the feeding, courting and fighting of the giant mammals and the matriarchs who tenderly guard their young. Many safaris are organized to the Minneriya National Park during the season and accommodation around Sigiriya, Dambulla, Habarana, Kandalama and Giritale would be the best options
