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The month of April is the most celebrated month in the Sri Lankan calendar. It is a month for holiday, tradition, unity and pure cultural fun; the month of the renowned festival in the entire calendar; the Sinhala and Tamil New Year. A lot of astrological belief stands behind the significance of this festival. The period of the festival falls at the time when the sun moves from the House of Pisces to the House of Aries. On April 14th the sun stands directly above the island of Sri Lanka. The festival -known as Aluth Avurudu in Sinhala and Puththandu in Tamil- marks the end of the harvest season and commemorates the beginning of a new year in the Saka Era.
Culture comes alive during the auspicious time of this festival. Houses are cleaned and oil lamps are lit. Women adorn themselves in traditional attire, the colors of which are decided by the astrologers. In some areas of the island the Raban drum is given a big significance. Women from one neighborhood congregate in a single location and play upon the raban, traditionally this took place to bring awareness of change in the year. Fire is lit and Kiribath is prepared. Kiribath or Milk Rice is a traditional breakfast prepared in Sri Lanka on the morning of any auspicious occasion. It is certainly a must try for those visiting the island. The season of the festival also brings to the table an array of other local delights and sweets. These include Kavum, Kokis, Aluwa, Vali Thalapa and many more. By evening families leave their homes to visit friends and relatives. The New Year is one of the most unique and auspicious time for both the Sinhalese and Tamil race. They make business deals at this time, they start new resolutions and they celebrate. Sometime during the second and third day of the celebration ‘the avurudu Utsavaya’ takes place. This involves a lot of traditional games, competitions and fun.
Sri Lanka’s traditions come alive in different ways in different parts of the island. Shanti Travel Sri Lanka offers experience an exemplary quality of Sri Lanka Tour Packages. These holiday packages Sri Lanka has enables you to cover all there is to see in this beautiful island.