Then Sinhala New Year

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The Sinhala New Year The Sinhala New Year dawns with sun entering the Meena Rashi from the Mesha Rashi which means from the House of Jupiter to the House of Mars. The New Year, according to the Sinhala Almanac, is in the month of April, most probably on the 13th or 14th of the said month. The sweet voice of the Cuckoo could be heard even before the New Year. It is the familiar sound before the new year of any year. The cuckoo tells us that the New Year is close by. We Sinhaleese, specially the Buddhists and Hindu Tamils celebrate the New Year with a sense of unity among neighbors. On the New Year day, poor folk as well as rich people exchange milk rice, Kevum (Oil Cake), Kokis etc., prepared by housewives in their houses with friendships and harmony. Children burn crackers and amidst fireworks the New year is celebrated on a grand scale. New Year is the mostly celebrated cultural festi val of the Sinhalese. They forget various differences during this season. All are happy and united. They send milk rice and Kavum (oil Cake) with plantains to other houses with friendship. In many villeges, one can see that there are New Year festivals. People participate in various sports activities as well. Traditional heaps of betal are offered to elders. During the punya kalaya people go the temple to make offerings. When the New Year arrives once can hear the sound of crackers from everywhere. New Year season is a period for people to forget their differences and

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