During the month of April, Sri Lanka celebrates a festival known as the ‘Sinhalese and Tamil New Year’, which is a major anniversary celebrated by most Sri Lankans. It is a time in which not only Sinhalese, but all Sri Lankans come together as one to celebrate. Astrology Astrology plays a rather important role in Avurudu, as the dawn of the new year doesn’t take place at a specific time every year. The auspicious or ‘nakath’ time is specified according to astrological calculations. The duration of time between the old year and new year can take as long as 12 hours and 48 minutes, this is because of the sun crossing he astrological border of the House of Pisces to House of Aries. Every part …

The traditional New Year celebrations in Sri Lanka is a time marked by families getting together and various customs being observed by the country’s Sinhala and Tamil communities. A National Holiday The traditional New Year or the Sinhala and Tamil New Year generally falls on 13th and 14th April each year. In the villages, it is also celebrated as a harvest festival and it is a national holiday as well. Look to book family or honeymoon hotels in Sri Lanka in advance during this time; places like Amaya Hunas Falls, Kandy give you a chance to experience some of the New Year festivities. Rituals and Customs The New Year period is marked with a series of auspicious times at which various customs are followed. These include boiling milk in …

Easter is a festival that brings hope to the entire world! There is a much stronger sense of hope in Macau at this time of the year. It just might have something to do with a significant history associated with this day. Here are a few reasons why Macau is one of the best places to visit for Easter.     Easter Traditions When it comes to Easter, the people of Macau find joy in taking part in the Easter traditions. As is the norm, believers take part in mass and especially the procession of the passion of Christ from the church premises around Sedona city and back.   Easter Orchestra The premises of St. Dominic’s church situated in the historic centre of the country …

The end of the Ramadan months signals the beginning of a festival called Hai Raya Puasa in Malaysia. With most of the population in the country being Muslims, the festivities are celebrated in on a grand scale. Here are some facts about Hari Raya Puasa. Before the feast Ramadan is said to be the 9th month on the Islamic colander is also one of the holiest months for Muslims. During this period, the devotees avoid eating, drinking and smoking during the day. This act of fasting and abstinence is for one to learn good virtues like patience, humility and spirituality while surrendering oneself to Allah. The period of fasting begins at dawn and ends at 4 pm. Prayer time During this one month of fasting, …

Celebrated during the auspicious month of April, the New Year Festival is a very important national holiday for both Sinhalese Buddhists and Tamil Hindus in Sri Lanka. Who celebrates it The solor festival is celebrated by both the Sinhala Buddhist and Tamil Hindu Communities. What it’s About Unlike western celebration where the New Year is celebrated at midnight on 31st of December, the Sinhala and Tamil New Year is determined by astrological signs and is celebrated when the sun moves from the House of Pisces to the House of Aries. Traditional Customs and Rituals The rituals and customs followed by the Sinhala Buddhist community are similar to those observed by the Tamil Hindus. A variety of rituals such lighting the fire in the hearth, preparing …

Thailand is renowned for its culture, and there’s so much to experience where that is concerned. One of the best, and most famous, festivals that happen in Thailand is Songkran. What is Songkran? Songkran is derived from the ancient Sanskrit word, Sankranti, and is a reference to the traditional New Year that is celebrated in South Asian countries such as Cambodia, Myanmar and Vietnam. So it’s an International Thing? The traditional New Year is celebrated in many ways throughout the world, in nations such as Sri Lanka, for example, it’s the ‘Sinhalese New Year’, in Myanmar it’s called ‘Thingyan’. Only Laos and Thailand refer to the occasion as Songkran. Songkran in Thailand Since Songkran is associated with purification and washing away of bad luck and …