As the melodious sound of the Asian Koel, also known as Koha in Sinhala, starts to spread around the villages and cities while the Erabadu flowers are making their way to being in full bloom, all citizens of Sri Lanka gather hand in hand as they have gotten the signals of mother nature announcing that it is finally time to welcome the Sinhala and Tamil New Year. A celebration of unity, diversity, cuisine, and games.

I’m sure everyone would agree if I said that April is one of the favourite months we have in our calendar year. The changes in nature, the smell of food coming from one house to another, and the harmonious sizzling sound of oil bubbling when kokis are put on a pan just make us merry around about how precious this month is as everyone around the country prepares themselves to glorify the sun moving from the constellation Pisces to the constellation Aries.

One of the most important traditions when it comes to New Year celebrations are the activities conducted at auspicious times by everyone. With the start of the Punya Kalaya, everyone around the country lets go of all the work they have been doing and becomes idle to prepare themselves for the arrival of the new year. Based on the times announced by astrologists, when the new year finally arrives at a time in the middle of the punya kalaya, everyone around the country communicates it by lighting firecrackers at every household. Personally, I have to say that this is not something I like as it scares our poor animals, so rather than prescribing this method, we can always go for some other option when the new year arrives. 

With the dawn of the new year, the next few rituals are carried out consecutively, where we start working, eat food, and do the first transaction for the new year. The day ends with the entire family gathering around the fully prepared Awrudu table filled with all the sweetmeats prepared for Avurudu. I am a huge fan of Aluwa, so I believe the table is not complete if Aluwa is not there on the table. 

Avrudu celebrations do not stop at the end of that day, it is a month-long celebration with games and parties. There are various Awrudu festivals held across the country to commemorate this event. With games such as tugging the rope, breaking the pot, climbing the grease pole, and finding the hidden person, Awrudu celebrations are done with the participation of everyone around the area.

All these games, traditions, and customs are not just activities done for the purpose of celebrating the new year, they also have a deep-rooted meaning as to why they are done together. The New Year is celebrated both by the Sinhala community as well as the Hindu community, but it has become a celebration which is celebrated by all cultures, irrespective of their race. Everyone gathers around families to celebrate Awrudu, as it promotes unity and peace among these diverse people.

The true essence of Awrudu is the coming together of all cultures to celebrate the auspicious times united all at the same time around the entire country. So, in this new year let’s make a promise to treasure this unity we have with our fellow people and celebrate it in the grandest way possible by helping each other out in these trying times.

Written by: Rtr. Supun Rasanjana

Graphic design by: Rtr. Malithi Fernando