As the sun sets on the old year and rises on the new, Sri Lanka comes alive with vibrant colors, joyful festivities, and a sense of renewal. The Sinhala New Year, known as Aluth Avurudda, is a cherished cultural celebration that marks the beginning of the traditional Sinhalese calendar year. Rooted in ancient customs and rich symbolism, Aluth Avurudda is a time for families and communities to come together, reflect on the past, and embrace the promise of the future.
Falling in mid-April, this auspicious occasion aligns with the end of the harvest season, symbolizing abundance, prosperity, and the cycle of renewal. The festival also holds significant astrological importance, as it marks the transition of the sun from the zodiac sign of Pisces to Aries, known as the dawn of the New Year.
Preparations for Aluth Avurudda begin weeks in advance, with homes undergoing thorough cleaning, symbolizing the removal of negativity and the welcoming of positivity for the year ahead.
Traditional foods take center stage during the festivities, with families coming together to prepare an array of mouthwatering delicacies. Kiribath, or milk rice, holds a special place on the New Year table, symbolizing prosperity and good fortune. Other traditional treats such as kokis (crispy fried snacks) and kavum (sweet oil cakes) add to the culinary delights of the occasion.
The dawn of the New Year is marked by the auspicious moment known as the ‘Punya Kalaya’, where families engage in religious observances and seek blessings for prosperity and happiness in the year ahead. Buddhist temples resonate with the chanting of ‘seth pirith’, while devotional songs fill the air, creating a serene atmosphere of spiritual reverence.
As the sun sets on Aluth Avurudda, families gather once again to exchange gifts and pleasantries, strengthening bonds of kinship and friendship. The day culminates in a grand feast, where loved ones indulge in an array of delectable dishes, sharing laughter and creating memories that will last a lifetime.
The festivities commence with the Buddha Puja, devotees offer floral tributes, light oil lamps, and participate in chanting sessions led by venerable monks.
Making dana offerings of traditional Sri Lankan foods such as kiribath (milk rice), sweets, fruits, and other delicacies to the monks. These offerings symbolize generosity, merit-making, and fostering positive karma.
Lastly, everyone will gather around tables adorned with an array of sumptuous delicacies, ready to partake in the flavours of tradition and togetherness, celebrating the bounties of the harvest season.
