Little bit about AWURUDU :)
This is celebrated by both Sinhala Buddhists and the Tamil Hindus of Sri Lanka. According to the astrology, Awurudu begins when the sun moves from "Meena rashiya" (Pisces) to "Mesha rashiya" (Aries). It also marks the end of the harvest and spring. Before Awurudu day people clean their houses, buy new equipment (e.g. new cooking pots to prepare milk rice) and clothes. People believe awurudu bring joy to everyone and it is a good time to forget about any hardships they had and move on.
Things we do.....
Preparation of sweetmeats such as kavum, kokis, munguli, aluwa, aggala, atirasa, aasmi..etc... takes place at least three days prior to the Awurudu day.
In my home too we make a lot of food items. Apart from what my mother makes I normally prepare Kokis, Milk toffee, Date cake and Butter cake.
Rituals associated with Awurudu begin with having a bath on the last day of the old year and looking at the moon on the same night. (watching the moon might differ according to the auspicious times given by the astrologers)
There is a period referred to as the "Nonagathe" (Neutral period or "Punya kalaya"). During this time according to the traditions and religion, people stay away from work and engage in religious activities.
Cultural rituals begin shortly after the dawn of Awurudu.
To start off cooking we light the fire (lighting the hearth) to make "kiribath" (milk rice). Also milk is boiled in a new earthen pot and allowed to boil over, symbolizing prosperity.
Then comes the time to enter into the first business transaction and eating the first meals. Also the elders of the family are been worshiped offering a sheaf of betel.
Awrudu customs end with "hisathel gaama" (applying oil on head). Some people do this at home and some go to the village temple to get it done by the monks. After we have a bath for the first time of the dawned new year.
Visiting relatives and friends is also an important features of this season.
The aroma of sweetmeat, the sound of raban and the koha's (Cuckoo bird) cry, symbolize that the entire country is ready to celebrate this joyous festival.
