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check the 'Avurudu Seettuwa'
The customs to be followed during the Avurudu season are listed in a document referred to as 'Avurudu Seettuwa'. This is an ancient system whereby the activities connected with Avurudu are listed out according to the auspicious times. During the time of the Sinhala kings, the responsibility of preparing the list and the times was given to the 'Mahanekathina'. It was his official duty. The list included times to down tools, start work for the new year, light the hearth, prepare the first meal, partake of the meal and step out to go visiting. Today, this task is done by professional astrologers and it is seldom that the times differ from one astrologer to another. Many go by the times prepared by the staff of the reputed almanac, the Epa Panchanga Litha. Many were the customs followed for Avurudu. On the day before the Avurudu, the house was cleaned and the dirt collected into the 'kulla' and thrown near a 'thunmang handiya' - junction where three roads met. This custom was known as 'daha maha dosaya eliyata demeema' - throwing away the sins collected over ten months. In certain areas this custom is observed to this day. Another custom is collecting drinking water from the well and preserving it in a 'kalaya' throughout the year. At the auspicious time, the water is thrown back into the well and a fresh pot of water is taken. Following a custom known as 'linda indulkireema', a few coins and a parcel of milk rice and sweetmeats are put into the well to "initiate transactions with the well". 'Kunu tikirata bath deema' is done after the dawn of the new year when kiributh, kavum and other eatables are collected into a banana leaf and kept on top of a heap of dirt or an ant-hill. It is also customary to light an oil lamp and place it there. Everyone is in a lavish mood during Avurudu. The preparation of kavum, kokis, aasmi and other sweetmeats is a 'must' in every rural home. Buying these from commercial outlets is essentially limited to urban areas. Even their preparation is begun at an auspicious time. Avurudu is the time when all petty squabbles are forgotten. The offering of betel symbolises a plea to forget any displeasures and indicates the desire to renew acquaintances. Those in the wrong are forgiven. Children seek pardon from parents and elders for any wrongdoings during the year, by offering betel. In their case, not only are they pardoned but are also given cash and gifts as part of the 'avurudu ganu denu'. There is an overall festive mood in the village during the Avurudu season. No sooner the customs are over, young and old gather to play traditional games. New ones have been added over the years. The more popular games include 'ang edeema', 'pora pol geseema', 'thathchi paneema', pillow fights, climbing the grease pole, spotting the elephant's eye blindfolded, tug-o-war, and breaking the pot blindfolded. Cycle races are also common among the youth. A popular activity among young women is 'onchli padeema' while singing 'onchili vaaram'. The older ones would take part in numerous competitions like scraping coconut or 'pol athu viveema'. 'Thel gaana avurudda' marks the auspicious day and hour to anoint the head for the new year. The Buddhists pay a lot of attention to this custom where a specially prepared oil ('naanu') is used. 'Kohomba' and 'divul' leaves are used to prepare the oil. The juice extracted by pounding the leaves is mixed with gingelly oil and lime juice along with a specific type of ayurvedic preparation. Traditionally, the oil was prepared in the village temple and it was the monk and the 'veda mahattaya' who performed the task of applying the oil on all who turned up at the temple at the appointed hour. This custom is believed to help one be free from illnesses during the year and increase one's wisdom. A
popular refrain which many mothers recite while applying the oil
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