Sinhala and Hindu New Year Festival

 

Sinhala and Tamil New year which is also called as "Surya Mangallya' in Sinhalese is a unique Sri Lankan cultural festival celebrated by Sinhalese and Tamil people in Sri Lanka as well as all over the world. The Sun's movement from Meena Rashiya (House of Pieces) to Mesha Rashiya (House of Aries) marks the beginning of Sinhala and Hindu New Year festival. New Year celebration starts on 13th of April and ends on 14th of the month. People welcome the New Year with lots of happiness, firecrackers and so many traditional sweetmeats etc.

Sinhalese and Hindus give the prominence to fulfill New Year customs and rituals. All these customs and rituals are done at auspicious time by wearing respective coloured clothes and facing towards the direction that are pre assigned by the astrologers. Each and every custom has its meaning. 

Sri Lankans keep them off by engaging in their daily routine and completely involve in religious activities during the transition period which is called 'Nonagathaya'. They visit temples and get the blessings from the priests.

The happy moment of the New Year festival is the time when Sri Lankans boil milk in a new clay pot. It is done all over the country by all the Buddhists and Hindus at the same time. When the milk spills over from all sides of the pot, symbolizes the prosperity. 

The New Year table is arranged with the traditional milk rice and with a number of delicious sweetmeats which arouse the tastebuds. All gather around the New Year table and enjoy the first meal after lighting the oil lamp. Everybody share gifts and sweetmeats which enhances sharing loads of love, bundles of joy and caring of each other. 

Kids love playing folk games, sing, dance and enjoy the festival. Even the elders conduct New Year festivals in their villages which uplifts the unity, co operation, happiness and good will. 

Sri Lankans apply oil on heads at auspicious time with the hope of healthy life. It is normally performed by the oldest family member. The villagers also gather in the village temple because oil anointing is also done by the chief incumbent of the temple. Leaving for occupation is too done at the auspicious time but it can be varied in urban areas now due to their busy schedules. 

Sinhala and Hindu New Year needs to be celebrated by every generation as it is a festival filled with cultural and National values. 

Image Courtesy : Captured by Amanda Mendis on 14th April 2022.