The Sinhala and Tamil New Year, known as Aluth Avurudu in Sri Lanka, is a celebration of tradition and culture. According to astrology, the 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 for farmers.
Falling in April, this auspicious occasion marks the traditional New Year for both the Sinhalese and Tamil communities. Also known as Bakmaha Mangalyaya, Sooriya Mangalyaya in Sinhala, or Puthandu and Puthuvarusham in Tamil, this celebration bring families, friends, and communities together in a joyous atmosphere filled with rituals, customs and festivities.
It symbolises renewal, prosperity, and the chance for a fresh start. Preparation for the festival starts weeks before; houses are cleaned and painted, new clothes are bought, and sweetmeats are made.
Throughout the day, families gather to engage in rituals such as lighting the traditional hearth, preparing the first meal, making offerings to the temples, receiving blessings from elders, and partaking in rituals to invoke blessings for a prosperous year ahead, which are done at auspicious times known as Nekath.
Houses are filled with the smell of sweetmeats like kavum, kokis, aluwa, peni walalu, and vadei, as well as the sounds of raban. Traditional games such as vasana mutti beedima, pora pol, kotta pora and banis kema are well known and it is the happiest time for children.
Avurudu brings everyone closer together and fills our hearts with joy. It’s a time for happiness and laughter, to strengthen family ties, and to make wonderful memories that we will cherish forever.
Suhanya Vishnie Gamaarachchi
Grade 7
Horizon College International
