Colombo, Sri Lanka – The Sri Lankan communities celebrate the dawn of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year on April 14 with great enthusiasm and reverence. The New Year, locally known as ‘Aluth Avurudda’ in Sinhala and ‘Puththandu’ in Tamil, is observed with various rituals and customs that hold immense significance for both communities.
According to traditional astrological belief, the Sun completes its journey across the twelve Zodiac segments in a year, taking one month to travel through each constellation. The transition of the Sun from the House of Pisces to the House of Aries marks the beginning of the New Year (Aluth Avurudu).
A number of customs and traditional beliefs are associated with Avurudu celebrations in Sri Lanka. The Sinhalese community is highly influenced by astrological faiths and performs several religious practices during this time.
The auspicious times for various activities during the New Year have been specified by the astrologers for the year 2023. As per the guidelines, the New Year dawns at 2:59 p.m. on April 14 (Friday), while the inauspicious time, known as Punya Kaalaya or ‘Nonagathaya,’ is from 8:35 a.m. to 9:23 p.m. on April 14 (Friday).
The preparations for the New Year, including the preparation of meals, begin at 3:29 p.m. on April 14 (Friday). To perform this activity, one should light the hearth, clad in mix-colored clothes while facing the direction of the south. Prepare milk rice mixed with curd as well as sweetmeats containing Undu flour (Urad).
Other activities such as commencing work, transactions, and partaking in meals should be done on April 14 (Friday) at 5:05 p.m. while facing the direction of east, clad in mix-colored clothes. Anointing oil is recommended to be done on April 16 (Sunday) at 9:41 a.m. while facing the direction of the south, clad in red and yellow.
Leaving for work should be done on April 17 (Monday) at 6:28 a.m. clad in white-colored clothes while facing the south when leaving the house. Lastly, planting of tree saplings can be done on April 20 (Thursday) at 6:38 a.m. while facing the direction of east, clad in golden-colored clothes.
The Sinhala and Tamil New Year is a significant festival in Sri Lanka that brings people together to celebrate their culture and traditions. Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the people of Sri Lanka have kept their spirit high and celebrated the festival with utmost reverence, following the traditional customs and beliefs.
