For all Sinhalese and Hindus, April is all about festivity. From the end of March even the environment seems to feel this heart-warming change. The trees look much greener with flowers blossoming covering up every inch making it look like Mother Nature’s decorations done specially for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year. To add to this beautiful site, the sound of the cuckoo bird can be heard as the background music throughout this special time. While nature gets ready to celebrate this festival in its own way, the people in Sri Lanka too start adding their contribution to enhance the excitement.

Everything is done according to an auspicious time, so when the time gets closer the astrologers in the country get together to give the proper auspicious times that the people need in order to follow the traditional routines. Since all schools are on vacation the involvement of children with the celebrations is very high. Families get together to give a new look to their home as every house gets a fresh coat of paint and new appliances. Then the preparations of sweetmeats begin. The aroma of freshly prepared sweets can be felt anywhere you go.

The sound of laughter can be heard from every corner of the country. Children and adults have their special traditional New Year games which are very simple but fascinating to watch or even join. All shops would have the massive red discount signs plastered on their doors and windows inviting the shoppers to come and visit them for a good deal. Shops would be packed with both the young and old who would be buying hoards of gifts for their loved ones.

The sound of fire crackers can be heard weeks ahead. The end of the old year is considered as an inauspicious time where no important work is done. During this time people visit temples and avoid any other activity. This time is called the nonagathaya. The dawn of the New Year is marked by the endless sound of fire crackers while a pot of milk is kept on the fire and is let to overflow to symbolise a prosperous year ahead. The day continues with more celebrations and get-togethers where everyone enjoys to their heart’s content.

So if you are planning a trip to Sri Lanka, then the month of April would be the best time to enjoy the local culture. Celebrating the New Year in the coastal area would be more refreshing. Accommodation would not be an issue at any time. Palagama Beach Kalpitiya is one of the many Sri Lanka beach resorts where you could relax and unwind while on vacation. It is amongst the leading Kalpitiya hotels and has all modern amenities and delicious cuisine that would make your vacation in paradise a reality.