The Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, in collaboration with the Department of Cultural Affairs, has officially released the comprehensive 2026 New Year Auspicious Times Sheet (Nakath Seettuwa) for the upcoming Sinhala and Tamil New Year, also known as 'Aluth Avurudha' in Sinhala and 'Puththandu' in Tamil. This detailed schedule, prepared after a meeting on March 16, 2026, between the Minister, almanac compilers, and astrologers, outlines a series of traditional rituals for the Saka Year 1948.
This year's Nakath Seettuwa introduces a new auspicious time, 'Placing the oil pot on the hearth' (Tel Walan Lipa Thabima), officially added from 2026. This ritual is set for Sunday, April 5, 2026, at 11:08 AM. Participants are advised to dress in red, yellow, or copper-colored attire, face south, light a hearth, place an oil pot, and begin preparing traditional New Year sweets, acknowledging that some items require extended preparation.
Key auspicious times for the New Year celebrations, primarily observed on April 14, 2026 (Tuesday), are as follows:
* Bathing for the Old Year: Monday, April 13, 2026. Traditional activities like home cleaning, sweet preparation, and bathing with Nanu (lime leaf juice mixed) are recommended before the Punya Kalaya.
* Punya Kalaya (Auspicious Period): From 03:08 AM to 03:56 PM on April 14, 2026. During this period, ancient commentaries recommend ceasing all work and engaging in religious observances. The latter part of this period also includes auspicious times for cooking, starting work, and engaging in transactions.
* New Year's Dawn: The official dawn of the New Year is marked at 09:32 AM on April 14, 2026. This signifies the sun's transition from the Pisces (Meena) zodiac sign to the Aries (Mesha) zodiac sign, an astronomical event that occurred at 6:00 AM on the same day.
* Lighting the Hearth: At 10:51 AM on April 14, 2026. Individuals should wear red attire, face south, and prepare milk rice along with sweets mixed with sesame, vilanda, and curd.
* Commencing Work, Engaging in Transactions, and Partaking in Meals: Set for 12:06 PM on April 14, 2026. Participants are advised to wear red attire and face south.
* Oil Anointing Ritual: Scheduled for Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at 6:55 AM. Participants should wear green attire, face east, place kohomba leaves on their head and kolon leaves on their feet, and apply Nanu mixed with kohomba leaf juice and oil before bathing.
For the first time, the Nakath Seettuwa includes auspicious times for departing for urgent duties and resuming regular employment:
* Departing for Urgent Duties: Friday, April 17, 2026, at 05:38 AM. It is recommended to wear golden-colored attire, eat milk rice mixed with buffalo milk, curd, and sweets mixed with undu (black gram), and face north.
* Departing for Employment/Work: Monday, April 20, 2026, at 06:27 AM. Participants should wear white attire, eat milk rice and sweets mixed with cow's milk, and face south.
Other significant auspicious times include the New Moon sighting for the new lunar year on Friday, March 20, 2026, and for the new solar year on Sunday, April 19, 2026. Additionally, an auspicious time for planting trees has been introduced for Thursday, April 23, 2026, at 9:01 AM.
These rituals are part of a long-standing tradition observed by both Sinhala and Tamil people, ensuring the continuation of cultural customs according to the prescribed auspicious times.