Lanka Page wishes all readers a happy and prosperous Sinhala and Tamil New Year

“The Sinhala and Hindu New Year is a festival celebrated by the majority of the Sinhalese and Hindus. It is a religious and cultural festival, where people of Sri Lanka celebrate the New Year irrespective of class, creed or community.

In April (the month of Bak) when the sun moves from the Meena Rashiya (House of Pisces) to the Mesha Rashiya (House of Aries) Sri Lankans begin celebrating their National New Year Aluth Avurudhu in Sinhala and Puththandu in Tamil. However, unlike the usual practice where the New Year begins at midnight, the National New Year begins at the time determined by the astrologers. Not only is the beginning of the New Year but the conclusion of the old year 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 nona gathe (neutral period). During this time one is expected to keep off from all types of work and engage solely in religious activities.

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