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| Milk Rice, Chicken Curry, and Katta Sambol |
Usually called the Sinhalese and Tamil New Year after the two main ethnic groups in Sri Lanka, (I prefer the term Lankan New Year), Sri Lankans celebrate their cultural new year on April 13 and April 14. Based on the sighting of the new moon and the movement of the sun from the House of Pisces to the House of Aries, astrologers determine when the old year ends and the new year begins (not necessarily at midnight) and the duration of the time between the two events, usually lasting several hours, when all work should be stopped and people should attend to religious matters, visit family members, engage in traditional games, and enjoy the special food and treats associated with the new year celebrations. Given the fact that I left Sri Lanka over 50 years ago, and the time differences between there and here, I don't observe the specified times and rituals. However, when possible, I make milkrice for breakfast (or brunch).
So, on Saturday morning, I spoke with my aunt to wish her for the new year, cooked milkrice for brunch, and made my usual offerings at the altar. Then, I spent the rest of the day, relaxing!
I like having a second new year in April! It gives me another opportunity to have a new beginning!
It was cool and overcast in the morning and it rained in the evening, quite heavily at times. I am glad we had more rain, because I had asked M not to water the garden on Friday, in anticipation of it raining on the weekend!
On Saturday, I was grateful for:
- Another new year
- Another new beginning
- Rain for the garden
- Phone chats with my aunt
- A lovely e-card for the new year from a dear friend
Saturday's joyful activity was celebrating the Sri Lankan New Year!
There is more rain in the forecast for Sunday; plans for Sunday include relaxing with some crocheting.
How is your weekend coming along?
Warmest wishes to you & your loved ones on this New Year. May the new year usher in a season of joy, success, and prosperity in your life.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mary-Lou. :)
DeleteSounds lovely, I need a new start in April boost, thank you for this it has spurred me on.
ReplyDeleteI think that spring is a good time to start a new year, myself. Glad to have helped with spurring you on! :)
DeleteHappy New Year! I always find it interesting to learn about other customs.
ReplyDeleteThank you, June. :)
DeleteI don't know anything about the Sri Lankan New Year so it is fun to get to hear about it. Weekend here is okay so far. Have a blessed Sunday. xo Diana
ReplyDeleteThank you, Diana. Wish you the same and a good week, ahead. :)
DeleteHappy New Year! I hope it will bring you everything you wish for. Xx
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jules. :)
DeleteWarmest wishes for peace and abundance in the new year! Your celebration meal looks quite delicious and I like your plan for the day.
ReplyDeleteWe are back from the wedding on Long Island. My husband drove and my sister and brother-in-law rode with us. We had car conversations—just a bonus on top of family togetherness. The wedding was lovely with a beautiful bride, a charming groom and a little sunshine during the outdoor ceremony. I ate clams, oysters, crableg, shrimp, salmon and wedding cake. We danced all night. The best was having time with cousins, there’s never enough of that. Today I went for a good walk after too much time spent sitting in the car. Now to catch up on laundry, especially hand-washables.
I should include new year wishes for good health for you and your daughter too!
Thank you, Taconix. Sounds like you had a lovely time at the wedding! Glad you had a safe drive there and back. :)
DeleteIt's neat that a New Year can be celebrated at different times from the usual January 1st one. I realize that in my faith there is a start to a liturgical year which happens at the beginning of Advent. No milk rice with curry and spicy sambol though, sigh!
ReplyDeleteI think that many cultures celebrate some sort of renewal around spring. Maybe Easter could be seen as a sort of a new year/new beginning?
DeleteHappy Lankan New Year! Thanks for explaining it, it's very interesting. I hope you're having a a good weekend! It's 79 today here! But it goes back to 40s mid week.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Celie. Wow, you are having a heatwave! It's rainy and 53F, over here!
DeleteHappy New Year!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Angela.
DeleteHappy New Year! Thank you for sharing
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sharon, and you are welcome. :)
DeleteHappy New Year. I like the idea of a second New Year celebration too. And the timing for it is nice too - a full quarter after the beginning of the calendar new year.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you spent the day relaxing.
And your rain worked out nicely having asked M not to water.
Thank you, Debra; yes, a second New Year is nice, especially if you want a reset! :D
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