Sinhala and Tamil New Year ( Aluth Awurudda ), a most awaiting and one of the most important festival celebrated by not only Sinhalese people, but by most of the Sri Lankans.

It is generally celebrated on 13th April or 14th April and traditionally begins at the sighting of the new moon.

According to Sinhalese astrology, New Year begins when the sun moves from Meena Rashiya (the house of Pisces) to Mesha Rashiya (the house of Aries). It also marks the end of the harvest season and of spring.

By celebrating, people believe that they have engaged in a new beginning to their lives, they hope with the new beginning they will achieve prosperity, success and happiness to their lives, their families and to the country.

Celebrating is not like throwing a party at the house, invite everyone and have fun. It is much more important and precious, ritual/ custom that every Sinhalese obeys most and give importance in their lives.

For this have to be ready to follow valuable Traditional Sri Lankan Rituals which inherited from ancient ancestors which is transferred from family to family, generation to generation.

 

THE NEW MOON

  • The new moon can be seen on Sunday the 18th of March and on Friday the 20th of April

“It is believed that by looking at the Moon for the last year and pay the gratitude for the past year. Also when all other rituals are over the last ritual is to look at the new moon that rise up and welcome the moon to the new year

 

BATHING FOR OLD YEAR

  • Bathing for old year falls on Thursday the 12th of April

“This ritual is followed to symbolize that people are ready to be blessed and worthy and fresh to receive the blessings given to their lives in New Year

 

DAWNING OF THE NEW YEAR

  • New Year will dawn at 8.13 am on Saturday the 14th of April

“This is the auspicious time that sun moves from Meena Rashiya to Mesha Rashiya. That is the exact precious moment considered as the dawn of the New Year

 

PUNYA KALAYA

  • Punya Kalaya begins on Saturday the 14th of April at 1.49 am and ends on Saturday the 14th of April at 2.37PM

“This time period is reserved to follow up all the religious customs and let the people know and feel the importance of the religion to their lives and how much meaning that could added to life”

 

PREPARING OF MEALS

  • Preparing meals for the New Year should begin at 10.40 am on Saturday the 14th of April.

“It is believed that this is the first meal to cook from the harvest collected from the paddy fields and make the wishes, that they will be offered prosperity throughout the year.”

 

TRADING AND FIRST MEAL OF THE NEW YEAR

  • The tradition of trading and consuming the first meal of the New Year is to be done at 11.53 am on Saturday the 14th of April

“At the table, kiribath, bananas, sweets like aggala, kavum, thalaguli, aasmi, kokis, aluwa and many other delicacies become the centrepiece. Families sit around the table and share the kiribath, as the head of the family offers it to all members. By following this custom people get to realize how important is the “FAMILY”. “

 

ANOINTING WITH OIL

  • Anointing the head with oil is set for Monday the 16th of April at 10.16 am

“Anointing the holy oil purifies one’s mind as well as the body; families conduct this ceremony at their homes or go to temples where the priest anoints oil on the devotees’ heads and bless them. The patriarch of the family or the chief of the temple stands upon leaves, roots and flowers and anoints the oil while chanting shloka or gatha. During this ritual one is blessed from head to toe. “

 

LEAVING FOR WORK

  • Leaving for work in the New Year is set for 6.03am on Thursday the 19th of April