The inauspicious period (Punya Kaalaya or Nonagathaya) for the 2024 Sinhala and Tamil New Year commenced at 2:41 p.m. and is scheduled to conclude at 3:29 a.m. tomorrow (April 14). Sri Lankans are poised to celebrate the onset of the traditional New Year at 9:05 p.m. today (April 13).
The New Year, referred to as ‘Aluth Avurudda’ in Sinhala and ‘Puththandu’ in Tamil, is marked by both communities with various rituals and customs.
According to traditional astrological beliefs, the Sun traverses the twelve segments of the Zodiac over the course of a year, spending one month in each constellation. The transition of the Sun from the House of Pisces to the House of Aries signals the commencement of the New Year (Aluth Avurudu).
Several customs and traditional beliefs are associated with Avurudu celebrations in Sri Lanka, with the Sinhalese community influenced by astrological faiths and engaging in religious practices during this period.
This year, the determination of the optimal date for New Year celebrations was overshadowed by a dispute among the 42-member group of astrologers employed by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, with one member accusing others of misinterpreting the positions of stars.
Despite the majority favoring the dawn of the traditional Sinhala and Tamil New Year on the night of April 13, one astrologer contested this ‘auspicious’ timing, warning of potential calamity.
In response, the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs issued a special statement, urging the public to adhere to the official list of auspicious times issued by the State Astrologers’ Committee.
The auspicious times for the 2024 Sinhala and Tamil New Year are as follows:
- Dawn of the New Year: New Year will commence at 9:05 p.m. on April 13 (Saturday).
- Inauspicious Time (‘Punya Kaalaya’ or ‘Nonagathaya’): The inauspicious period begins at 2:41 p.m. on April 13 (Saturday) and concludes at 3:29 a.m. on April 14 (Sunday).
- Preparation of Meals: Meal preparation for the New Year should commence at 11:06 p.m. on April 13 (Saturday). Participants are advised to light the hearth, wear blue-colored attire, face south, and prepare milk rice mixed with sesame, pure sugarcane jaggery, and sweetmeats containing sesame.
- Commencing Work, Transactions, and Partaking in Meals: April 14 (Sunday) at 12:06 a.m., wearing blue-colored attire and facing south.
- Anointing Oil: April 15 (Monday) at 10:17 a.m., clad in white and facing south.
- Leaving for Work: April 17 (Wednesday) at 6:52 a.m., wearing green-colored attire and facing north when departing from the house.
- Planting of Tree Saplings: April 18 (Thursday) at 10:16 a.m., wearing golden-colored attire and facing east.
