Sinhala & Tamil New Year
Sri Lankans celebrate their National New Year Aluth Avurudu in mid April after the Harvest is done. The sun moving from the House of Pisces to the Aries signals the dawning of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year. The New Year begins at the time determined by the astrologers. Not only the beginning of the New Year but the conclusion of the old year is also specified by the astrologers. And unlike the customary ending and beginning of new year, there is a period of a few hours in between the conclusion of the Old Year and the commencement of the New Year , which is called the nonagathe (neutral period). During this time one is expected to keep off from all types of work and engage solely in religious activities. Recognized officially and observed countrywide as the National New Year, the celebrations take seven days, varying only slightly from the age old venerable traditions which are still observed to the letter by Sri Lankan’s of all ages and social background.
Alut Awurudu
The new year falls on the 13th or 14th day of April, preceded by at least two weeks of preparations, devoted largely to shopping and the making of a hundred-and-one varieties of sweetmeats. Schools have their holidays during the month of April, so children are often the willing helpers in and around home, getting the household ready for the eventful day.
The Avuruddha is heralded by the constant lighting of fire crackers and the unmistakable call of the koel bird, populary known as the koha which coos only once a year-at this time.
The day prior to the Sinhala and Tamil New year is one of anticipation. City bus and train stations are crowded with people in a hurry to get to their homes. Most people return to their ancestral homes, obviously with a longing to celebrate the holidays in much the same way they did as children. Cooking is completed, the hearth cleaned, fires extinguished, with fresh pots and pans now awaiting the preparation of the first meal of the New Year. The ensuing period, astrologically prescribed is a time for complete relaxation. All activities are suspended and a lull ensues, as a nation waits for the dawning of the New Year.
New Year
The New Year approaches with a pre-determined time for preparing the ceremonial first meal. Dressed in the year’s lucky colour, facing the auspicious, as the thunder of fire crackers, as housewives prepare a dish of Kiribath made from the first batch of the year’s harvest of rice. Kiribath or milk rice, is Sri Lanka’s quintessential festive food; an unsweetened rice pudding cooked in cream of coconut and placed reverently at the head of the table, right beneath an equally revered coconut oil lamp.
The whole family will sit for the first meal, soon after transacting some business, referred to traditionally as ganudenu, or the act of receiving and giving. The time now is at its most auspicious, so it is believed that whatever is initiated at this time will undoubtedly yield fruits. Frames will plant a tree; students will read a book, etc. The clock-watching is now over. The next day or two will mark the most joyous period of the year; playing, eating, drinking, merry making and visiting relatives and loved ones.
Hear, an adult member of the family will prepare very special herbal oil and anoint family members, with blessings for a wonderful year to come. With it, Avurudhu comes to an end and Sri Lanka gets back to its normal pace of life.
Avurudhu has become an important national holiday for both the cultures of the Sinhalese Buddhists and the Tamil Hindu Sri Lankans, and is unique as such, as it is not celebrated elsewhere in the world. Indeed wealthy Sri Lankans make it an excuse to come home from wherever they are to make it a long holiday season.
