The Sinhala and Hindu New Year, Avurudu as we all call it in Sinhala, has become an important national holiday for both Sinhala Buddhists and the Tamil Hindus of Sri Lanka. Rituals associated with the Aluth Avurudda begin with a bath on the last day of the old year and viewing the moon on the same night.
Something unique about Avurudu is the celebration of the beginning of the New Year as well as the conclusion of the old year as specified by astrologers. And unlike in the customary ending and beginning of New Year, when it comes to the Sinhala and Hindu New Year, there is a period of time in between, which is called the nonagathe (neutral period). During this time, people keep off from all types of work and engage in religious activities. It is for this reason that it is also called the Punya Kalaya.
First meal at the Avurudu table (Ahara anubawaya)
At the table, kiribath, bananas, sweets like aggala, kavum, thalaguli, aasmi, kokis, aluwa and many other delicacies become the centrepiece. Families sit around the table and share the kiribath, as the head of the family offers it to all members. After this the oil lamp is lit and the feast commences.
The hearth is lit by the lady head of the house facing the designated direction (which varies every year) and the traditional New Year dish, Kiribath is cooked or a pot of milk is boiled, both signifying prosperity. Before lighting the hearth, the lady of the house would worship the new pot three times. From the oldest of the family to the youngest, all gather around to witness the milk boiling over from the pot.
Performing rituals and exchanging money (Weda alleema saha ganu denu kireema)
Every ritual is performed at an auspicious time. After meals, children show respect to their elders by offering sheaves of betel and elders bless them. The elders in return would give them money and commence the first financial transaction (ganu denu) of the New Year. In the ancient times ganu denu or financial transaction was performed in a different way, the woman of the house would drop a new coin wrapped in a clean cloth into the well and draw a bucket of water. She would then fill a bottle with that water and keep it aside, which will be renewed the following year.
Anointing the holy oil purifies one’s mind as well as the body; families conduct this ceremony in their homes or at temples where the priest anoints the oil on the devotees’ heads and bless them. The patriarch of the family or the chief of the temple stands on leaves, roots and flowers and anoints the oil while chanting shloka or gatha. During this ritual one is blessed from head to toe.
There is an auspicious time to go to work and start work (Rakee Raksha) for the New Year.
Time to play
After the rituals finish the celebrations move out into the streets where various games and many other fun filled activities begin. Bridging families and friends together, these traditional games and joyous activities are the limelight of the day.
In Tamil households
Collecting Maruthu neer
At the dawn of the new year, families rise early and collect Maruthu neer, a special water that contains a mix of herbal leaves and flowers such as lotus, pomegranate and few others. This ritual is considered an act of purification and normally Maruthu neer’is anointed at an auspicious time as recommended by the astrologers or priests in the kovils.
Making Pongal with boiled milk
Hindus gather at a place, ideally at the entrance to the house where a potful of milk is boiled. As the first rays of the new year begin to fall, watching the milk boiling over from the rim is a sight meant to bring boundless joy and bounty into ones life. The milk is used to make pongal—a type of sweetened rice made in Hindu homes during times of festivals. The pongal is made at a specific time in which the sun moves from the Meena Rasi ( Pisces) to Mesha Rasi (Aries).
The traditional pooja
The New Year pooja is a ceremony performed to thank the gods for the previous year and to seek their blessings in order to face the forthcoming year with strength and fervour. Typically the lady of the family sets up the kumbam—a silver pot with coconut on top adorned with mango leaves on the sides, in the prayer room. The kumbam along with fruits like mangoes, jack, and comb of bananas and sweets are laid in front of gods as offerings. After the ceremonies at home conclude, families visit temples during the Punya Kaalam which is at a specific time of the day, considered ideal for visiting temples and to be involved in spiritual activities.
Kaivisesham
A rather special custom, the Kai Visesham is a ceremony during which the elders of the family present money to the young thereby commencing the first financial transaction of the year. The Kai Visesham money is supposed to bring in luck to the youngsters and it should not be spent, until the next year. Like all other New Year customs the Kai visesham too must be performed at a specific time.