Sinhala and Tamil New Year, also known as Aluth Avurudda or Puthandu, is a cultural and traditional festival celebrated by the Sinhalese and Tamil communities in Sri Lanka and parts of India. It falls on the 13th or 14th of April every year, based on the solar calendar.
The festival marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of a new year. The preparations for the New Year begin weeks before the actual day, with cleaning and decorating homes, preparing traditional sweetmeats, and buying new clothes.
On the day of the New Year, families gather together to perform traditional rituals and customs. The first ritual is the lighting of the hearth, which symbolizes the start of the New Year. This is followed by the boiling of milk in a new clay pot, which is believed to bring prosperity and good luck.
The most important aspect of the New Year celebration is the exchange of gifts and sharing of food. Traditional sweetmeats such as kavum, kokis, and athirasa are prepared and shared among family and friends. There is also a tradition of giving money or gifts to children and young adults.
Other activities during the New Year festival include traditional games such as the tug-of-war, pillow fights, and climbing a greased pole. These games are meant to promote unity and teamwork among communities.
Overall, the Sinhala and Tamil New Year is a time of joy, togetherness, and cultural significance. It is a celebration that showcases the rich cultural heritage of Sri Lanka and the Tamil communities.