Sinhala New Year overview
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- Official name: Sinhala: අලුත් අවුරුද්ද
- Generally known as: Aluth Avurudda in Sri Lanka
- Observed by: Sri Lankans worldwide
- Type: Cultural, A complex mix of Indigenous, Astrological, Hindu, and Buddhist traditions.
- Celebrated by: not only the Sinhalese people but by most Sri Lankans
- Celebrations: Games, family gathering, family meal, visiting friends and relatives, prayer
- Resemble to: Tamil New year and other South and Southeast Asian New Years
- Observances: The observed movement of the sun from Meena Rashiya (House of Pisces) to the Mesha Rashiya (House of Aries), Marks the end of the harvest season
- Date: 13 or 14 April
- Frequency: annual
- Traditionally begins: at the sighting of the new moon
Sinhala New Year in the country of 72 nations!
Do you know that Nowruz, Iranian New Year and Christmas are not the only festivals celebrated for the New Year?
In fact, we are talking about several different celebrations and it must be said that they exist all over the world and each of them held at one time of the year!
According to the lunar calendar, different parts of India celebrated New Year during March and April. This wonderful and exciting event takes place in different parts of India under different names and forms that closely related to the customs and religions of each region.
At this time, the people of this country celebrate the New Year with traditional clothes and food. People visit religious halls, go to relatives’ houses and congratulate each other on the New Year.
On the occasion of Happy New Year 2022, here are some wishes, and messages, to share with loved ones.
Where is Sri Lanka? When is Sinhala New Year celebrated?
Sri lanka is an island country in South Asia. Sinhala and Tamil are the official languages of Sri Lanka. The population of this country is 20 million and two hundred thousand people. 75% of the people of this country are Sinhalese. Sinhalese are an Aryan ethnic group that migrated from northern India to Sri Lanka.
This small country located in southern India and has a lot of racial and religious diversity, which has made it a multicultural country.
But perhaps the first thing that catches your eye when entering Sri Lanka is seeing the happy and energetic people of this small country. They are so hospitable and kind that the moment of a smile never leaves their lips.
Colombo is the capital of Sri Lanka and is also the largest city in the country. Clear sea, old temples with strange architecture and a beautiful 130-year-old golf club are some of Colombo’s tourist attractions.
One of the most famous and big festivals that attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world to Sri Lanka every year is Sinhala New Year that held in April.
The New Year in Sri Lanka, also celebrated as Sinhala and Tamil New Year, takes place in mid-April.
Locals open their doors to relatives, friends and other members of the community on New Year’s Eve. They start Sinhala New Year with interesting rituals, such as boiling milk.
Sri Lankans pour boiling milk into a new earthenware dish and wait for the milk to cool. It is said that this is a symbol of prosperity and happiness in the New Year in this country. At this time, people make local sweets such as Kavum (small oil cake) with rice and coconut oil, which are prepared and served in wooden dishes.
11 Sri Lankan national festivals
1- Duruthu Perahera
- Event time: January
- Venue: Kelaniya Temple, Colombo, Sri Lanka
- celebrated by: devotees
people of Sri Lanka held Duruthu Perahera Festival during the month of January (Duruthu) to mark the anniversary of the Buddha’s first visit to Sri Lanka for more than 2,500 years.
The main focus of the festival is on the outskirts of Colombo Kelaniya Temple, historic Kelaniya Rajamaha Viharaya. The temple has been repeatedly destroyed by the Portuguese and Indians and has been rebuilt.
Regular Buddhist processions in Raja Maha Vihara with drums, dancers, musicians and decorated elephants play a key role in the celebration.
Perhaps the most prominent part of this festival is the peraheras, which is the most vibrant and lively event among others. The temple of Raja Maha Vihara is immersed in a multitude of lights to contribute to the beauty of this celebration by creating a lot of glow.
2- Galle Literary Festival
- Event time: January and February
- Venue: Galle, Sri Lanka
- founded by: Anglo-Australian hotelier Geoffrey Dobbs in 2005
International Galle literary festival is one of the most popular literary events in Southeast Asia for writers and literary enthusiasts around the world. It expanded its remit to include art trails, cookery, cabaret, and music.
Attendances of many internationally acclaimed and well-known writers and musicians include D.J. Taylor and Roshi Fernando. Sashi Tharoor, Shyam Selvadurai, Tom Stoppard, Michael Morpurgo, Madhur Jaffrey, Julian Barnes Richard Dawkins, Simon Sebag Montefiore, David Thompson, and Jason Kouchak, has increased substantially the profile of the festival.
3- Elephant Polo Tournament
- Event time: February
- Venue: Galle, Sri Lanka
- Played in: Nepal, Rajasthan (India), and Thailand
Sri Lankans held this sports festival every year in the city of Galle, Sri Lanka and attracts many enthusiasts from all over the world.
Elephant Polo Tournament is like polo, in which elephants are used instead of horses. It is held in many countries such as India, Thailand, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
You must have asked, then what about the Sinhala New Year? We will address it in the following sections.
- Event time: February/March
- Venue: Gangaramaya Temple, Colombo, Sri Lanka
- Helped to: create a platform to promote the age-old arts and crafts and foster many livelihoods
In February, on the day of the completion of the moon, Colombo becomes a city full of music and stunning costumes.
In February, on the day of the completion of the month of Colombo, it becomes a city full of music and dazzling clothes.
Sri Lankans acknowledge this ceremony every year around Lake Bira. Elephants are one of the main attractions of the festival, which performs with dancers, drums, bands and other skilled musicians.
About 100 elephants dressed in radiant costumes are in attendance to earn the respect of tourists from around the world and locals.
5- Medin
- Event time: March
- Venue: All over Sri Lanka
On this day, all the people of Sri Lanka, those who believe in the Buddha, pray and worship together.
6- Sinhala & Tamil New Year
- Event time: April
- Venue: All over Sri Lanka
All the people of Sri Lanka held Sinhala New Year in April and it is the New Year celebration of the Sri Lankans. The people of Myanmar also celebrate this ceremony. In this ceremony, a variety of delicious sweets are baked and they celebrate the New Year in the best way.
7- Bak
- Event time: April
- Venue: All over Sri Lanka
It is also a religious and Buddhist ritual in which people played music specific to Buddhist temples. They celebrate and give thanks on this day.
8- May Day
- Event time: May 1st
- Venue: Colombo, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka people also celebrate International Workers’ Day. It considered a holiday in Sri Lanka.
9- Vesak
- Event time: May
- Venue: All over Sri Lanka
It is a national holiday in Sri Lanka commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Lord Gutama Buddha, celebrated in full glory in Sri Lanka.
10- Poson
- Event time: June
- Venue: Ambasthale Dagoba, Mihintale, Sri Lanka
Poson, also known as Poson Poya, is reminiscent of the arrival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka from India and widely celebrated as Wasak.
11- Esala
- Event time: July
- Venue: Kataragama Shrine, Kataragama, Sri Lanka
The celebration of the handing over of the first discourse of the Buddha deity, the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutra to the five disciples, takes place in the deer park of Isipathana and marks the beginning of the Sri Lankan rain festival.
Mayurapathy Chariot, Hikkaduwa, Vel, Kandy Perahera, National Festival of Kites, Navarathri, Victoria Golf Club, Deepavali (Diwali), Adam’s Peak and Ulpotha: Retreat to the Extreme festivals are among other festivals that held in sri lanka.
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Best time to visit Sri Lanka
March and April are the best time to travel to Sri Lanka. The weather is relatively mild and dry and the city will be overwhelmed with color.
March can be a good time to visit Sri Lanka as the rainy season has not yet arrived and most of the winter tourists have left. The weather is hot and the rains are frequent at night. In May, parts of the island will be affected by southwesterly monsoon winds.
Events to check: Sinhala New Year is a popular festival and Tamil holiday that celebrated on April 14. People of Sri Lanka celebrated it with games, family gatherings, and meals.
Where are the recommended Sri Lankan restaurants?
Don’t miss the test of foods inspired by the best flavors in the world! Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, is a world of diverse flavors. Colombo restaurants cater to every taste and budget by serving a variety of dishes. So on your trip to Sri Lanka, prepare yourself to taste the unique flavors.
Concluding Remarks
The significance of the New Year is not just the renewal of the calendar and the beginning of a new beginning for nature.
Interestingly, despite the fact that New Year’s customs are different everywhere in the world and many of them do not happen even on the same day, but all people feel good together during the New Year. They look forward to the New Year as they look back with gratitude.
Different traditions and rituals have kept cultures alive and dynamic throughout the centuries, and the New Year is one of the most important signs of the survival of any culture.
Have you ever participated in New Year celebrations of other cultures? Share your experiences with us.
Frequently Asked questions about Sinhala New Year
1- Where are Sri Lanka’s top tourist destinations and attractions?
Clanya Temple in Colombo, Bentota Brief Garden, Kendivar in Kennedy City, Bentota Buddhist Temple, River Safari, Lake Bira in Columbus, Kennedy Lake in Kennedy, Holy Tooth Temple in Kennedy, Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo, Dambula, Sigirua, Polunar
2- Where are the suggested shopping centers in Sri Lanka?
Shopping is one of the most basic human needs that felt at any time and anywhere. Therefore, it must be believed that in all countries of the world, there are centers for the supply of various items in different forms; But when it comes to tourist cities, one should expect luxury and different stores. Even if it is the city of Colombo, Sri Lanka
3- What time is the Sinhala New Year?
April 13th and 14th at 02:33 a.m.
4- What is another name for Sinhalese New Year?
It is also known as the sun festival or solar New Year that performed to honour the God of Sun.
5- What time is the new year in Sri Lanka 2022?
Thursday, Apr 14.
6- What are some traditions and customs of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year?
- Giving thanks of farmers after the Maha harvest
- Bathing on the last day of the old year and viewing the moon on the same night
- Offering betel to parents and elders
- During this time, people keep off from all types of work and engage in religious activities
- Preparation of sweetmeats, such as kevum, kokis, atirasa, aggala, aluva and asmi
- strengthening of relationships with neighbours with exchanging presents and greeting them with a sheaf of betel
