Sinhala & Tamil New Year 2026 | Auspicious Times

Sinhala and Tamil New Year 2026 auspicious times have now been officially released, along with a English explanation for each ritual. The Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs has advised the public to follow the official schedule of auspicious moments prepared and issued by the State Astrologers’ Committee for the 2026 New Year celebrations. Locally, this sacred timetable of rituals and lucky times is known as Avurudu Nakath (අවුරුදු නැකත්).

Every April, Sri Lanka pauses, breathes, and begins again. The Sinhala and Tamil New Year, known with warmth as Aluth Avurudda (අලුත් අවුරුද්ද), is far more than a date on the calendar. It is a deeply spiritual, culturally rich, and nationally unifying event observed by millions across the island and in the Sri Lankan diaspora worldwide.
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At the core of this celebration is the Avurudu Nakath Litha, a sacred schedule of auspicious timings (nakath) calculated by expert astrologers. Each ritual in this timetable is tied to a precise moment, a specific color of clothing, a direction to face, and a traditional food to prepare. Together, these elements are believed to usher in prosperity, good health, and blessings for every household.

For Sinhala and Tamil New Year 2026, Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs formally released the official Avurudu Nakath Seettuwa, the authoritative auspicious times list. This year was notable because the ministry convened a unified panel of astrologers representing multiple traditional almanac traditions, including the Epa Panchanga Litha and the Thirasara Panchanga Litha, to produce a single, nationally accepted schedule. The finalized Nakath Sittuwa was solemnly presented to the Buddhist clergy before being released to the public.

The public is officially urged to observe and follow this list in all New Year rituals.

2026 Avurudu Nakath Litha

New Moon Sighting 🌑

Friday, March 20
The new moon sighting in March marks the formal beginning of Avurudu preparations according to the traditional lunar calendar. Families begin cleaning homes, preparing sweets, and arranging rituals in the weeks that follow.​

Ritual Bath for the Old Year 🛁

Monday, April 13
Before the New Year can begin, the old year must be honoured and released. On April 13, bathe using Divul leaf juice (Limonia acidissima — Wood Apple / දිවුල්) and spend time in meditation and prayer, invoking the blessings of deities. This act of purification cleanses the body and spirit before the New Year dawn.

New Year Dawn — Aluth Avurudu Udawa 🌅

Tuesday, April 14 at 9:32 AM
This is the most sacred moment of the entire Avurudu season — the precise instant when the sun transitions from Meena Rashiya (Pisces) to Mesha Rashiya (Aries), officially beginning the Sinhala and Tamil New Year 2026. At this moment, temple bells ring, firecrackers light up the sky, and families gather in prayer and gratitude.

The Auspicious Period — Punya Kalaya ⏳

Tuesday, April 14: 3:08 AM → 3:56 PM
The Punya Kalaya (පුණ්‍ය කාලය) is the sacred window bridging the old year and the new. During this period, Sri Lankans traditionally refrain from eating, engaging in work, or conducting transactions. Instead, this time is devoted entirely to religious observance — chanting pirith (Buddhist blessings), visiting the temple, offering flowers, and engaging in quiet reflection. It is a moment of stillness before the joyful new beginning.

First Meal Preparation — Kiribath Uyanu 🍚

Tuesday, April 14 at 10:41 AM
🔴 Wear red | Face South
At this auspicious moment, the household hearth comes alive. Dressed in red and facing south, families prepare milk rice (kiribath), traditional sweets, and the ceremonial milk pot (kiri itirawa) — the boiling over of which symbolizes abundance and prosperity pouring into the home for the year ahead.​

First Work, Transactions & Sharing the Meal 🤝

Tuesday, April 14 at 12:05 PM
🔴 Wear red | Face South
Following the preparation, this is the moment to sit together, share the first meal of the New Year, conduct the first business transaction, and begin work. Even something as simple as giving a child a coin or exchanging sweets with a neighbour counts as the first auspicious transaction. Dressed in red and facing south, every action taken at this time is imbued with positive intent.​

Anointing of Oil — Tel Ganu Denu / Herbal Bath 💆

Wednesday, April 15 at 6:54 AM
🌿 Wear Pacha-Varga (Five-Hued) clothes | Face East
The Tel Ganu Denu is one of the most beloved Avurudu traditions. Dressed in pacha-varga (a blend of five traditional colors representing nature and wellbeing) and facing east, apply herbal oil enriched with Kohomba leaves (Azadirachta indica — Neem) to the head. This ritual draws on Sri Lanka’s ancient Ayurvedic tradition, symbolizing healing, protection from illness, and renewed vitality for the year ahead.

National State Oil Anointing Ceremony 🏛️

The prestigious State Oil Anointing Ceremony for 2026 will be held at the historic Natha Devalaya premises in Kandy at 6:54 AM on April 15. Jointly organized by the Department of Ayurveda (Ministry of Health), the Ayurveda Corporation, and the Department of Culture (Ministry of Religious and Cultural Affairs), this national ceremony is a powerful symbol of Sri Lanka’s living Ayurvedic heritage.

Leaving for Work — Vada Araganu 💼

Monday, April 20 at 6:27 AM
⚪ Wear white | Face South
After days of celebration, it is time to step into the working world with renewed purpose. Dressed in white — representing clarity and purity — and facing south, eat a meal of milk rice prepared with cow’s milk before departing. This ritual blesses your professional life and ensures that your efforts in the new year are met with success and good fortune.

Planting — Vapuranu 🌱

Thursday, April 23 at 11:36 AM
🟡 Wear gold | Face North
The final ritual of the Avurudu Nakath Litha honours Sri Lanka’s agricultural soul. Dressed in gold-coloured clothing and facing north, plant seeds or saplings in your garden or land. This act symbolizes growth, a deep respect for the earth, and the hope that just as seeds take root and flourish, so too will every endeavour of the new year.

How to Wish Someone on Sinhala & Tamil New Year

Greetings are a beautiful and meaningful part of the Avurudu spirit. Here is how to wish your family, friends, and colleagues in all three languages:

🇱🇰 In Sinhala (සිංහල)

“සුභ අලුත් අවුරුද්දක් වේවා!”
(Subha Aluth Avuruddak Wewa!)
Meaning: “May you have a Blessed New Year!”

🌺 In Tamil (தமிழ்)

“இனிய புத்தாண்டு நல்வாழ்த்துக்கள்!”
(Iniya Puthandu Nalvazhthukkal!)
Meaning: “Warm wishes for a Happy New Year!”

🌍 In English

“Wishing you a Happy New Year!”
“Wishing you a Happy and Blessed Sinhala & Tamil New Year!”