The Sinhala and Tamil New Year will dawn today (14), marking the beginning of one of the most important cultural celebrations in Sri Lanka.
Known as ‘Aluth Avurudha’ in Sinhala and ‘Puththandu’ in Tamil, the festival is celebrated by both communities through a series of traditional rituals and customs observed at auspicious times.
According to astrological belief, the New Year begins with the transition of the Sun from the House of Pisces to the House of Aries, symbolising a new cycle.
As per the auspicious timetable, the New Year will dawn at 9:32 a.m. today.
The nonagathaya, or inauspicious period, which began prior to the New Year, will continue until 3:56 p.m. During this time, people are encouraged to refrain from work and engage in religious activities.
In the latter part of the nonagathaya, it is considered auspicious to carry out traditional practices such as lighting the hearth, preparing meals, and commencing transactions, in keeping with long-standing customs associated with the New Year.
