Sinhala and Tamil New Year

1. Sinhala
and tamil
new year

2. The Sinhala and Hindu New Year falls in the
month of April every year. It is celebrated by
Sinhala Buddhists and Tamil Hindus in Sri
Lanka

3. They set their eyes on the new moon before the
New Year.

4. We make preparations and decorate our houses
before the New Year dawns. Some clean up their
gardens and houses before the New Year.

5. We go to the temple during the Nonagathe time
with the dawn of the New Year.

6. You hear the firecrackers. Mother lights the hearth
and prepares milk rice at the auspicious time.

7. Then we arrange the table with special food
items made for the New Year.

8. All family members and relatives get-together
and take part in the rituals at the auspicious
times.

9. Adults do transactions and children worship the
elders.

10. Applying oil on head at an
auspicious time.

11. Many festivals are held in villages.

12. Children take part in the many games and in the
Avurudu Kumari and Kumara contests.

13. New year games
Pillow fight
Playing the
Rabana

14. Eating buns
Tug of war
New year games

15. Olinda Keliya
Placing the eye on the elephant
New year games

16. Greased Pole Climbing
Breaking the pots
New year games

17. Pancha Keliya
Going on the sewing
New year games

18. New Year is an important and traditional
festival.