Here are 10 things to know about the Sinhala and Tamil New Year;

1. What is the New Year?

The festival is celebrated when the sun moves from Pisces to Aries, marking the end of the harvesting season. It is celebrated with a series of traditions, food, and fun games that take place during the day and involve the entire community.

2. When is the New Year celebrated?

The new year rituals start in 13th with a ritual called neutral period or Nonagathe. During this time people keep off from all the work and do nothing but engage in religious activities to get the blessing of their religion to prepare for the new year.The dawning of the new year is celebrated on the 14th of April each year!

3. The transition time

The Avurudu traditions begin on the 13th of April with the neutral time (or punya kaalaya) which is the time between the ending of the Old Year and the dawning of the New Year. This time is used to observe and perform religious ceremonies. People are also encouraged to refrain from their day-to-day activities and seek blessings from their priests/monks. What is most special about the new year traditions are that they are performed during an auspicious time. Therefore, the entire country cooks, eats and engages in work at the sometime.

4. How is the dawning of the New Year celebrated?

The dawning of the New Year is traditionally celebrated with the lighting of the hearth and traditionally boiling milk using a brand-new clay pot as a symbol of prosperity. The overflowing of the boiling milk is considered to bring good luck for the entire family. Thereafter,the traditional milk rice and an array of sweetmeats are prepared and enjoyed by family and distributed among neighbours symbolizing unity amongst all with no boundaries.

5. What are the sweetmeats for Avurudu?

The Avurudu table overflows with various sweet meats and foods specially made for the festival. Some of these food items include Konda kavum- a deep fried fluffy cake, Kokis- a deep-fried, crispy sweet made from rice flour and coconut milk, Aasmi- crunchy traditional sweet topped with a traditional caramel syrup, Mung Kavum- A diamond-shaped sweet that comes with a crunchy crust with a sweet paste of sweetened green grams inside and so much more! We at Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts always ensure our guests have a taste of all these sweetmeats and feel the spirit of the new year whilst they’re at our hotels.

6. What are the Avurudu Games?

Avurudu games are also a treat during this time of the year. Some of these Avurudu games include placing the eye on the elephant- (Aliyata asa thabeema), Eating buns the fastest (Banis kema), Pillow-fight – (Kotta Pora), Tug-o-War(Kamba Adeema), Breaking the pots – (Kanamutti bindeema), Climbing the greasy pole – (Lissana gaha nageema), and so on!

7. Anointing with Oil

Anointing heads with oil is another ritual that is not missed by Sri Lankans. Families make a concoction with herbs and various oils. The oldest family member is the one who anoints the herbal oil on the heads of the others. This anointment is done at village temples as well, wherevillagers gather to have themselves anointed by the head priest of the temple.

8. Visiting Neighbours

After the basic rituals are over, people begin to visit immediate relatives living close by and they also exchange plates full of sweet meats with friends and neighbors. It is customary to take betel leaves to worship the elders. Most people visit their hometowns and close relations even if they live far away from them!

9. Auspicious time to leave for work

Since most people make their way to their hometowns to celebrate the New Year with their family, leaving to work is also governed by an auspicious time. Usually most people leave for work at a selected auspicious time which is said to guarantee success and prosperity at their places of work.

10. Avurudu at Cinnamon

The spirit of avuruduis usually rampant at all Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts properties! The Cinnamon Grand Colombo and Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo, especially, are beaming with festivities during the New Year. Avurudu games, food and fun were amply available for all who wanted to enjoy!

This story charts back 30 years ago, to 1986, when the Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo as we know it today, went by ‘Ramada Renaissance’. Back then, there were hardly any large hotel chains in Sri Lanka, with The Ramada being one of the few situated in Colombo. Tucked away within this glamorous, modern structure, was The Library, a concept referred to as the Bibliothek. The Library was an exclusive, members-only bar and club that was home to some of Colombo’s most elite patrons.

The Library’s members were accomplished individuals in their own right, favoring the likes of professionals, artists and intellectuals. Membership at this private club was wielded with much pride and pomp of fashion. The club was run under the guidance of Felix Nypels, the General Manager of the hotel at the time, who made sure that the club was also modeled after his exacting standards.

The Library was a lively, swinging spot, where regular members would meet to let loose and enjoy the finer things in life. As the name suggests, The Library’s walls were adorned with leather covered books; where rare classics and popular novels were freely available. Guests were invited to kick-back and tuck into their favorite manuscripts, whilst sipping on some finely aged brandy.

Yes, no request was too obscure and unobtainable! Its patrons could request for custom dishes, private dining and sweet surprises served in one of the dimly lit nooks of The Library. As its policy was a purely members-only lounge, members could enjoy complete privacy in this club. The quiet and lavish ambiance, only added to the idea that one was dining in a private, speak-easy style bar!

Harpo Gooneratne, one of Colombo’s most highly regarded entertainment professionals was the Entertainment Manager of this very institution. He recalls how he began his journey here, starting as a DJ, introducing flashing lights onto the dance floor, a completely new phenomenon for Colombo’s party goers at the time! Once dusk approached, the flickering candles and light clangs of cutlery and crockery, would give way to some of the time’s most popular tunes! Come nighttime, The Library would come alive to a thriving discotheque. Initially the entertainment was managed by Wikram Singh, from London Town Discotheques, who brought down many of the world’s most sought-after celebrities and musicians such as Richard Clyderman, Three Degrees, Trini Lopez, Bollywood stars amongst a host of other top performers of international repute. It’s clear the very best of the island’s entertainment was hosted at The Library!

However, whilst The Library had garnered a reputation for throwing gala parties in the evening, its membership was also fond of the quiet and reclusive ambiance during the day. One of the first members of the club, Mr. Sathish Abeywickrama, reminisces on how homely The Library always felt, the bar was designed by architect Navin Gooneratne, who made sure to design the space with the client’s comfort at the forefront. As Sathish and his family were staunch patrons of the Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo, with all celebrations, weddings and special dinners taking place here, The Library was almost a second home for him. In particular, he notes how he was on a stag party at The Library, when a curfew was called, and he and his fellow partygoers were resigned to stay here until the curfew was called off!

A very few prestigious clubs still exist today. Whilst many have closed or fallen into disrepute, The Library still raves, tucked away in a quiet corner of the Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo. It’s a place where time seems to have stood still. When walking through this space, you are able to be transported back to the good old days. A time when the biggest business deals were done in the privacy of this club, when a casual dinner date meant getting dressed up in your finest garb and service was always par excellence. Nilantha, The Library’s manager, is able to keep its legacy alive, by imparting all the knowledge that was imbibed into him, back when he was a young lad and joined in 1989.

In a time when we all seem to be nostalgic about the better days, it seems fitting to immerse ourselves in the past. To flick through the aged, slightly yellowing pages of your favorite book, whilst enjoying a specialty cocktail in privacy, is an offer no one can resist!

The Library is truly a place where history, privacy and exclusivity collide.

We definitely do deserve a treat for getting to the latter end of this year; so safe and distanced celebrations are in order!

We’re sure you want to celebrate Christmas holiday’s in Sri Lanka, just as much as we are, and the question of where to see Christmas decorations in Colombo is a burning one. If you’re process of making that decision, you’re in the right place!

Cinnamon Grand Colombo transforms into a magical wonderland every Christmas with holiday lights right to bring in the festive cheer! And this year is no different!

Come visit us, take it all in and get ready to “ooh” and “ahh” at these landmarks, holiday markets and restaurants that create the most picturesque holiday light displays during the holiday season.

Bulbs blinking red and green or classic white have become a part of our identity, a symbol of prosperity, holiday cheer, and end-of-the-year celebration.

And that is exactly why you should visit Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo to celebrate the end of the year festivities.

We at Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts are ready to welcome you for a memorable and safe stay with us! With Cinnamon Care we ensure the safest way to visit your favourite paradise island and enjoy Christmas in Sri Lanka!