The Sinhala and Tamil New Year, known as the grand cultural festival of the Sinhala people, is set to dawn today (14).
The transition of the sun from Pisces (Meena) to Aries (Mesha) in the zodiac is considered the beginning of the New Year.
Following auspicious times to perform traditional customs has been a long-standing practice from ancient times.
According to the official auspicious time schedule (Nekath Seettuwa), the New Year will dawn today (14) at 9:32 a.m.
The “Punya Kalaya” (neutral or inauspicious period before the New Year) begins prior to the dawn of the New Year and will last from 3:08 a.m. to 3:56 p.m. today (14).
During this period, it is considered appropriate to refrain from all work and engage in religious observances. In the latter part of the Punya Kalaya, it is suitable to perform activities such as preparing meals, commencing work, and engaging in transactions according to the prescribed rituals.
The auspicious time for cooking the first meal is at 10:51 a.m., as stated in the Nekath Seettuwa.
It is advised to wear red-colored clothing and face the southern direction while lighting the hearth and preparing milk rice (kiribath), sweets, milk, and other traditional foods.
The auspicious time for commencing work, engaging in transactions, and partaking in meals is at 12:06 p.m.
Accordingly, it is recommended to wear red attire and face the southern direction when beginning work, conducting transactions, and consuming food.
The ritual of anointing oil (Hisa Thel Gema) for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year will take place on Wednesday, April 15, at 6:55 a.m.
For this ritual, it is advised to wear green-colored clothing, face the eastern direction, place neem leaves on the head and kolonn leaves at the feet, and bathe after applying a mixture of neem juice and oil.
The auspicious time to leave for urgent duties is at 5:38 a.m. on Friday, April 17, while the auspicious times to leave for employment or business purposes fall on Monday, April 20, at 6:27 a.m. or 6:50 a.m.
Furthermore, the auspicious time for planting is scheduled for Thursday, April 23, at 9:01 a.m., according to the Nekath Seettuwa.
