Aluth Avurudda 2025: Sri Lanka’s Traditional New Year of Joy, Rituals, and Renewal

April 8, 2025| April 8, 2025 Quotes & Messages 6 min read

Aluth Avurudda (Sinhala: අලුත් අවුරුද්ද), the Sri Lankan Sinhala and Tamil New Year, is one of the most vibrant and spiritually significant festivals in the island nation. Celebrated in mid-April, usually on April 13th or 14th, it marks the astrological transition of the sun from Pisces (Meena) to Aries (Mesha). It is much more than a change in calendar—it’s a powerful cultural reset that unites families, communities, and traditions across the island.

What is Aluth Avurudda?

“Aluth Avurudda” literally translates to “New Year” in Sinhala. While it coincides with similar new year observances in India (Tamil Puthandu, Vishu, Baisakhi) and Southeast Asia (Songkran, Thingyan), Aluth Avurudda carries a uniquely Sri Lankan cultural and religious blend of Sinhalese Buddhist and Tamil Hindu traditions.

Aluth Avurudda 2025 Dates and Astrological Significance

Main Celebrations: April 13–14, 2025
Auspicious Times (Nekath): Determined by astrologers, covering:
- Nonagathe (inauspicious time): A period of reflection
- Punya Kalaya (auspicious times): For specific rituals like lighting the hearth, starting meals, or going to work

In contrast to Western celebrations that strike at midnight, Aluth Avurudda observes time gaps, where rituals are carried out at specific astrologically determined moments.

🔗 Related: Songkran 2025 – Thailand’s Traditional New Year Celebration

Cultural and Religious Practices

1. Cleaning the House and Preparing for the New Year

Days before the festival, families:

Clean homes thoroughly
Discard old belongings
Decorate with mango leaves and flower garlands

This symbolizes letting go of the old and making space for prosperity.

2. Lighting the Hearth (Lipa Gini Melaweema)

At an auspicious time announced by astrologers, the mother of the household lights the hearth, signifying the beginning of the New Year meal preparations.

3. Preparing Traditional Sweets and Dishes

Avurudu cuisine is a highlight of the celebration. Households prepare an array of traditional sweets and delicacies such as:

Kokis – A crispy, flower-shaped snack
Kavum (Oil Cakes) – Made of rice flour and treacle
Aluwa – A soft sweet made from rice flour and sugar
Kiribath (Milk Rice) – Symbolic and served during rituals
Banana, juggery, and other seasonal fruits

4. First Transactions and Work (Weda Alleema)

On the New Year day, after sharing food and visiting the temple, people engage in the first work-related activity or transaction (called weda alleema), symbolizing prosperity and a fresh start.

5. Worship and Temple Visits

Families visit Buddhist temples or Hindu kovils, offering prayers and lighting oil lamps. Children and elders participate in religious ceremonies together, reinforcing family bonds and spiritual values.

6. Anointing with Herbal Oil (Hisa Thel Gema)

In this tradition, an elder anoints the heads of family members with herbal oil, usually under the direction of an astrologically appropriate ritual. This is believed to bless individuals with good health and longevity.

7. New Clothes and Greetings

Everyone wears new, colorful clothes (preferably in auspicious colors) and greets each other with the phrase:
“Suba Aluth Avuruddak Wewa” – “Wish you a happy New Year!”

8. Avurudu Games and Traditions

In villages and towns, children and adults take part in traditional Avurudu games like:

Pillow fighting (Kotta Pora)
Tug-of-war (Kamba Adeema)
Kana Mutti Bindima – Hitting a clay pot blindfolded
Olinda keliya – A board game using seeds

Tamil New Year (Puthandu) and Coexistence

Aluth Avurudda overlaps with Puthandu, the Tamil New Year. In many areas of Sri Lanka, both communities celebrate together, highlighting the nation’s multi-religious and multi-ethnic harmony.

The Role of Astrology and “Nekath”

One of the most unique aspects of Aluth Avurudda is the strict observance of Nekath (auspicious times). The Department of Cultural Affairs and astrologers announce these times in advance via radio, TV, and newspapers, guiding when to:

Light the hearth
Commence meals
Visit relatives
Start work or school

This adds a ritual rhythm to the festival and deeply connects it with cosmic transitions.

Featured Foods of Aluth Avurudda

Dish	Description
Kiribath	Rice cooked in coconut milk, cut into diamond shapes
Kavum	Deep-fried oil cake made with treacle
Kokis	Crunchy, floral-shaped, deep-fried snack
Aluwa	Rice flour and sugar sweet often served at tea
Mung Kavum	Moong dal flour sweets, golden and crispy

Final Thoughts

Aluth Avurudda 2025 is not just a celebration—it’s a spiritual and cultural awakening. Marked by symbolism, astrological significance, and warm family reunions, this festival reflects the heart of Sri Lankan identity. Whether you’re visiting the island or experiencing it from afar, Aluth Avurudda invites everyone to slow down, reflect, and celebrate a new beginning.

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