Welcoming the New Year (Avurudu) in Sri Lanka
In Sinhala households
Prior to New Year
Household preparations are done in
advance, perhaps even two or three weeks prior to the festival; homes are
re-painted, floors are polished and kitchens are cleaned. All unwanted items
are thrown away, making the setting clean and tidy to mark a new beginning. The
best part is the preparation of sweetmeats and purchasing new clothes. The
traditional oil lamp is lit at the auspicious time.
As the sun exits Meena, people take the
final bath of the old year. As the ‘punya kalaya’ or ‘nonagathaya’
(inauspicious time) begins all business and work related activities come to a
halt. Everyone occupies themselves in spiritual activities by visiting temples.
Dawn of the New Year (Aluth Avurudu Udawa)
The sound of firecrackers and the
rhythm of ‘rabana’ (a one-sided traditional drum) signal that it’s the dawn of
a new beginning – ‘Aluth Avurudda’. As the New Year sets in, families become
busy with activities, getting ready for the rituals that are to follow.
Lighting the hearth (Lipa gini melaweema)
The hearth is lit by the lady of the
house facing the designated direction (which varies every year) and either the
traditional new year dish, Kiribath, is cooked or a pot of milk is boiled, both
signifying prosperity. Before lighting the hearth, the lady of the house would
worship the new pot three times. From the oldest of the family to the youngest,
all gather around to witness the milk bubbling from the pot.
First meal at the Avurudu table (Ahara anubawaya)
At the table, kiribath, bananas, sweets
like aggala, kavum, thalaguli, aasmi, kokis, aluwa and many other delicacies
become the centrepiece. Families sit around the table and share the kiribath,
as the head of the family offers it to all members. After this the oil lamp is
lit and the feast commences.
Performing rituals and exchanging money (Wada alleema saha
ganu denu kireema)
Every ritual is performed at an
auspicious time. After meals, children show respect to their elders by offering
sheaves of betel and elders bless them. The elders in return would give them
money and commence the first financial transaction (ganu denu) of the New Year.
In the ancient times ‘ganu denu’ or financial transaction was done in a
different way, The woman of the house would drop a new coin wrapped in clean
cloth into the well and draw a bucket of water. She would then fill a bottle
with that water and keep it aside, which will be renewed the following
year.
Friendly exchange of sweets amongst neighbours
Plates of sweets and other goodies are
exchanged between neighbours and it is a tradition that the plates should not
be returned empty. Families visit their relatives and friends forgetting
resentments and to strengthen their relationships during this joyous season.
Anointing oil
Anointing the holy oil purifies one’s
mind as well as the body; families conduct this ceremony at their homes or go
to temples where the priest anoints oil on the devotees’ heads and bless them.
The patriarch of the family or the chief of the temple stands upon leaves,
roots and flowers and anoints the oil while chanting shloka or gatha. During
this ritual one is blessed from head to toe.
Time to play
After the rituals finish the
celebrations move out into the streets where various games and many other fun
filled activities begin. Bridging families and friends together, these traditional
games and joyous activities are the limelight of the day.
In Tamil households
Setting up the house
As the festival date closes in, chores
like scrubbing, cleaning and getting rid of old items begin. Houses are white
washed and tidied up as it is believed that the Goddess Lakshmi visits and
resides in a clean home and showers her blessings to the family to prosper.
Tying the traditional Maviliai Thoranam symbolises the onset of a festival in
any Hindu house hold, during these times. On the eve of the new year, the
garland of Mango leaves or the Maavilai Thoranam is hung in front of the
doorstep to ward off the evil eye while announcing that the festivities are
about to begin. Another attraction, is the Kolam which are designs drawn with
rice flour at one’s doorstep or the main entrance. Ladies of the same
neighbourhood embark on a silent competition with each other on coming up with
the best design, as they draw these artful creations on new year’s eve.
Morning of the New Year
At the dawn of the new
year, families rise early and collect ‘Maruthu neer', a special water that
contains a mix of herbal leaves and flowers such as lotus, pomegranate and few
others. This ritual is considered an act of purification and normally ‘Maruthu
neer' is anointed at an auspicious time as recommended by the astrologers or
priests in the kovils. The spirit of new year sets in when everyone dresses in
new clothes and wish family and friends with “Puthandu Valthukkal” (Happy new
year). Later on, families gather at a place, ideally at the entrance to the
house where a potful of milk is boiled. As the first rays of the new year begin
to fall, watching the milk overflow from the rim is a sight meant to bring
boundless joy and bounty into ones life. The milk is used to make pongal—a type
of sweetened rice made in Hindu homes during times of festivals. The Pongal is
made at a specific time in which the sun moves from the Meena Rasi ( Pisces) to
Mesha rasi (Aries).
The traditional Pooja
The new year pooja is a ceremony
conducted to thank the gods for the previous year and to seek their blessings
in order to face the forth coming year of possibilities with strength and
fervour. Typically the lady of the family sets up the Kumbam—a silver pot with
coconut on top adorned with mango leaves on the sides, in the prayer room. The
kumbam along with fruits like mangoes, jack, and comb of bananas and sweets are
laid in front of the gods as offering. Once the ceremonies at home finish,
families visit temples during the ‘Punya Kaalam’ which is a specific time of
the day, considered ideal for visiting temples and being involved in spiritual
activities.
Kai visesham
A rather special custom, the Kai
Visesham is a ceremony during which the elders of the family offer a small
amount of money to the youngsters thereby commencing the first financial
transaction of the year. The Kai Visesham money is supposed to bring luck to
the youngsters and it shouldn’t be spent, until the next year. Like all other
new year customs the Kai visesham too must be conducted at a special time.
Fun times
Towards the evening various games like
Porthenkai( a game played with coconuts), uriyadi (pot breaking), Pole climbing
and tug-o-war are conducted amongst the neighbouring communities. Cart racing
is a popular sport in the village areas which attracts the crowds in large
numbers. One can also spot ladies hopping around gracefully, dancing Kolattam
and Kummi, while singing songs about the new year.These fun filled activities
are a way of promoting kinship amidst neighbours and other people from the
locality.
