By: Isuru Parakrama
April 14, Colombo (LNW): The Sinhala and Tamil New Year for 2025 was ushered in during the early hours of today (April 14), at precisely 3.21 am, marking a significant moment of renewal and cultural celebration across Sri Lanka.
Rooted in astrological observances, the New Year is a deeply symbolic occasion for both Sinhalese and Tamil communities, involving a series of time-honoured customs performed during specifically designated times.
According to this year’s traditional aluth avurudu nakath seettuwa (auspicious time list), the moment to begin cooking rituals was set at 4.04 am. At this hour, families were advised to don copper-hued attire, face south, and ceremonially light the hearth—a gesture symbolising prosperity and harmony in the year ahead.
The preparation of kiribath (milk rice), a staple festive dish, was accompanied by the cooking of various traditional sweetmeats including kavum, kokis, and aluwa. Milk and vilanda—a form of herbal drink—were also prepared to mark the occasion.
Later in the morning, at 6.44 am, the time was deemed auspicious for engaging in the year’s first work-related activity, making financial transactions, and sharing the first family meal.
On this occasion, individuals were encouraged to wear garments in shades of white and pearl, again facing the southern direction while performing these acts. This ritual is considered essential for inviting success and stability into one’s home and workplace in the coming months.
Across the country, homes were filled with the sound of laughter and the smell of festive food, as families came together in celebration. Firecrackers echoed through villages and cities alike, symbolising joy and warding off ill fortune, while temple bells rang out during religious observances held in Buddhist temples and Hindu kovils alike.
Beyond its spiritual and cultural dimensions, the New Year also carries a social and communal significance, promoting values such as unity, generosity, and mutual respect. In both urban and rural settings, communities engage in traditional games, music, and dance over the days that follow, reviving customs that strengthen intergenerational ties.
As the nation steps into the new year with blessings and hope, the rituals observed today serve not only as a nod to tradition but also as a reaffirmation of identity, resilience, and shared heritage.
