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Sinhala and Tamil New Year and its auspicious times
In Sri Lanka, each act of the new year, from lighting the hearth to the first meal, is done at a time set by astrologers.
About Sinhala and Tamil New Year and its auspicious times
The Sinhala and Tamil New Year in mid-April follows the Sun's move into Aries, and is timed with unusual exactness. Astrologers publish a table of nekath, auspicious moments, that sets the time to light the hearth, boil milk, eat the first meal, begin work, and rub oil on the head, with a colour of clothing also named for each. The household watches the milk boil over as a sign of plenty. Many families keep the timetable closely even when they otherwise pay little attention to astrology, as part of a set of customs shared by Sinhala Buddhists, Hindus and some Christians. A quiet period between the old and new year, called the nonagathe, is kept free of work.
Entries tied to it
Also part of it, and being written: Sinhalese New Year (The festival and its timed rituals.).
Written by the EveryJaadu desk with AI assistance. Background: "Sinhalese New Year" on Wikipedia. Customs differ from place to place and family to family, and are described as belief and practice. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.