Sinhala and Tamil New Year celebrated |21 April 2014

Sri Lankans celebrate their New Year or Aluth Avurudu (in Sinhala) and Puththandu (in Tamil) when, according to Astrology, the sun moves from the Meena Rashiya (House of Pisces) to the Mesha Rashiya (House of Aries) in the celestial sphere.

It marks the end of the harvest season and also coincides with one of two instances when the sun is directly above Sri Lanka, usually occurring on April 14.
This year the Tamil and Sinhala community in Seychelles celebrated their New Year with a host of activities at the La Promenade field.

The secretary of the Sri Lankan Association, Ms Sudheera, explained that as Sri Lanka is a multinational country, the function welcomed other nations who also celebrate the same traditions.
Acting high commissioner of Sri Lanka to Seychelles, Esala Weerakoon, was also present at the event. Old customs were revived and cultural rituals began with the lighting of the oil lamps and traditional snacks accompanied by events and entertainment for both adults and children which took place in the form of games.

Traditional games included burst the balloons, eating buns, kanamuti, keeping the eye on the elephant, lime & spoon three-legged race, catching eggs, kotta pora, sack race, feeding yoghurt, wheelbarrow, tug-of-war, fancy dress parade.

The Sri Lankan Association also took the opportunity to host its annual general meeting (AGM) the same day which was followed by lunch and a gift presentation as well as musical entertainment.

According to tradition, in some communities women congregate to play the raban (drum) to warn others of the incipient change in the year - from lighting the fire to making the milk rice to entering into the first business transaction, or even eating the first morsels. Through these rituals, people believe that there won’t be a food shortage in their houses throughout the year.
The accompanying photographs show highlights of the celebrations on Saturday.