The Sinhala and Tamil New Year: Complete Guide

For Sri Lankans, April is synonymous with Avurudu. The Sinhala and Tamil New Year, locally known as Avurudu is a time of celebration. There are memories of Avurudu woven into the hearts of every Sri Lankan, thanks to the joy the season brings.

It’s a time when the sweet aroma of traditional delicacies fills the air, and parents build swings for their kids. Families are busy cleaning their homes before the New Year while farmers gather the harvest in paddy fields. Young adults organise Avurudu festivals, each grander than the ones that happened in years gone by. And koel birds begin to sing sweet songs. That, more than anything else, is the true sign that the New Year is here.

Nostalgic Echoes of Childhood

Avurudu evokes fond memories of childhood innocence and joy for many Sri Lankans. It’s a time when families gather under one roof – most often at the grandparents’ house. Many Sri Lankans have fond memories of playing with their siblings and cousins while the adults prepared the home for the season. While the adults would cook, clean, or decorate the house, the children would run around getting underfoot. One of my favourite memories is participating in a rousing game of kana mutti gaheema with my cousins. We would hand an old earthenware pot filled with water on a rope, blindfold one person, hand them a bat, and let them take a swing. Whoever wins gets the pleasure of winning while the rest gets to enjoy seeing the winner getting drenched in water!

Traces of traditions

The Sinhala and Tamil New Year has ties that links it to local harvest festivals. Avurudu marks the transition of the sun from the Meena Rashiya (House of Pisces) to the Mesha Rashiya (House of Aries). The transition prompts the beginning of a new astrological cycle. So Sri Lankans consider the season a period of renewal.

However, around this time, farmers also begin to bring in the harvest from the paddy field. The abundance of new rice signals a season of prosperity. So many of the traditions revolved around honouring the farmers, the farming and giving thanks to the farm animals. The Sinhala and Tamil New Year has ties that links it to local harvest festivals. Avurudu marks the transition of the sun from the Meena Rashiya (House of Pisces) to the Mesha Rashiya (House of Aries). The transition prompts the beginning of a new astrological cycle. So Sri Lankans consider the season a period of renewal. However, around this time, farmers also begin to bring in the harvest from the paddy field. The abundance of new rice signals a season of prosperity. So many of the traditions revolved around honouring the farmers, the farming and giving thanks to the farm animals.

Timeless flavours

Another memory that comes to mind is the time I almost got third-degree burns during Avurudu. Back then, gas cookers (probably the most popular cooker in Sri Lanka) weren’t widespread. People were still used to traditional open-fire cooking. That is, burning dried wood on the ground encircled by three stones that act as a base for vessels to balance. While running around with my cousins during the lead-up to Avurudu at my grandparents’, we came across Grandma sitting in front of the fire. She was frying kevum – a traditional delicacy. I wanted a good look and leaned against her back. My weight unbalanced her, I fell forward, and if it wasn’t for Grandma’s quick reflexions, would have fallen onto the pan of hot oil. Now, every time Avurudu comes around, and I see people preparing kevum, I remember childhood mishaps.

New Beginnings

Avurudu is a wonderful time filled with nostalgia. But it also brings new beginnings. It’s a time for us to reflect, renew, and embrace growth as we transition from the old year to the new. As the sun rises on the special day of Avurudu, Sri Lankans welcome the dawn with rituals that symbolize prosperity and good fortune. From lighting the hearth to sharing the first meal of the year, each gesture is filled with meaning, reflecting our collective hope for blessings and abundance in the year ahead. Avurudu also signifies the renewal of bonds, both within families and communities. It’s a time to put aside old grievances, seek forgiveness, and pave the way for reconciliation and harmony. Families come together to exchange gifts and blessings, strengthening their ties. Meanwhile, communities unite in collective worship, offering prayers for peace, prosperity, and unity.

Ready to Celebrate?

Join our Cultural Triangle Luxury Tour, or experience culture and wellness in one with our Sri Lanka Hill Country & Tea Trails. With BSL Tours, you’ll experience Sri Lanka’s festivals not as an outsider, but as part of the celebration