Relive the true spirit of Avurudu with Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts

In an age where culture and traditions seem to be a waste of time and where sophistication and technology play a larger role in the lives of many today, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts invite guests to experience the real tradition and customs behind the celebration of the dawn of the Sinhala & Tamil New Year when the Sun moves (in an astrological sense) from the ‘Meena Rashiya’ (House of Pisces) to the ‘Mesha Rashiya’ (House of Aries) in the celestial sphere.

It marks the end of the harvest season and also coincides with one of two instances when the sun is directly above Sri Lanka.  

It is not just a celebration of the Sinhalese and Tamils, but is a Sri Lankan national event when rituals and traditions passed on from generations are adhered to and respected. It is also a time to educate the younger generation of such customs and teach them the principles governing such and the importance of commemorating them. In line with this theme, avurudu activities are planned at Cinnamon Resorts to revive traditions this season.

Celebrate Sri Lanka’s culinary diversity at Cinnamon Lodge Habarana

Cinnamon Lodge Habarana, adjudged the best five star resort in Sri Lanka, is geared up to offer guests a unique experience in the form of a feast of tastes. Typical Sri Lankan dishes are derived from an amalgamation of multi-ethnic, historical influences which have created an exciting cuisine praised worldwide for its delicious flavours. The cultivation of many types of rice, spices, vegetables and fruit, coupled with past foreign influences, ensures that Sri Lanka enjoys a varied and select cuisine.  Experience the food scene created by influences from various ethnic groups that have settled into this historic region this avurudu at Cinnamon Lodge Habarana. From ‘olu-hal’ buth to ‘pachchai perumal’; from ‘minneri’ bath to the purple yam, from the famous ‘ambul thiyal’ to the forgotten Jaffna kool, you will have a plethora of food to choose from.

‘Avurudu kema’ at Cinnamon Bey Beruwala

Cinnamon Bey Beruwala has planned a host of activities commencing with the special New Year’s breakfast; an ‘ambula’ lunch, a special drama in the evening followed by folk music played on the sitar and tabla with accompanying sweetmeats and high tea. Make it a family getaway for a more laid back celebration of avurudu at Cinnamon Bey Beruwala.

‘Bak maha ulela’ at Cinnamon Citadel Kandy

On New Year’s Day guests can join in for special avurudu activities at Cinnamon Citadel Kandy which will include a special buffet lunch focused on traditional Sri Lankan food. Special Avurudu games such as pillow-fighting and a tug-o-war amongst other traditions have been planned.

Chaaya Village Habrana offers the ‘ambula lunch’  

The festivities at Chaaya Village Habarana include activities planned for three days in entirety covering traditional Sri Lankan meals including the ‘hiru ras’ breakfast, ‘ambula’ lunch, ‘kopi kade’ or coffee shop all in a typical village style know as the ‘gama gedara’.

‘Andara watta’ at Bentota Beach Hotel

Bentota Beach Hotel has planned the ‘andara watta’ a model description of a typical village in ancient times, comprising prominent places in such a village that made up the true culture of village life in Sri Lanka. These include places such as  the ‘pansala’ or the village temple, ‘arachchi gedara’ or the residence of the village headman, ‘gama gedara’ a typical village house, ‘kopi kade’ or the coffee shop, smiths shop or ‘kammala’ a workshop that is commonly seen in a village and the ‘kamatha’ or the threshing floor. Activities range from playing the traditional ‘rabana’ and singing folk songs known as ‘raban padha’, lighting the traditional oil lamp and partaking of a special meal comprising milk rice and  sweetmeats known as ‘rasa kavili’, and taking part in traditional games just to name a few. It is an outing where the entire family can enjoy the celebration of avurudu as our ancestors did in the past.

‘Avurudu asiriya’ at Chaaya Tranz Hikkaduwa

Chaaya Tranz Hikkaduwa is located conveniently on the Galle road, and is easily accessible in less than an hour on the Southern Expressway. Activities for avurudu at Chaaya Tranz Hikkaduwa focus on activities such as the traditional morning breakfast serving ‘kiribath’ or milk rice evoking goodwill for the New Year and other sweetmeats, followed by a host of activities such the well known ‘avurudu kreeda’ or games and cultural dance acts including the selection of the ‘avurudu kumara and kumariya’. There will also be a special raffle draw at the end for guests to win exciting gifts.

‘An authentically Tamil New Year’ at Chaaya Blu Trincomalee

Situated on the east coast of Sri Lanka, a few kilometres off the Trincomalee town lays Chaaya Blu Trincomalee. Guests are invited to experience a truly authentic New Year celebrated according to Tamil rituals at Chaaya Blu Trincomalee. The indigenous activities that take place in a traditional Hindu village during the New Year season will be showcased at the resort. The day’s celebrations will highlight ‘neem’ flowers and raw mangoes to symbolize growth and prosperity. The game of ‘por-thenkai’ or coconut wars between youth which is played in villages will be highlighted, with other activities which would include tug-o-war (on the water line), pillow fight (in the sea), sack races for adults on the beach and kids on the lawn, with a variety of games to keep the kids busy. There will be a traditional ‘sapatu kade” serving ‘masala’ tea and coffee during the festivities. There will be a traditional sweet counter for the young. New Year’s lunch will be under the nuga tree showcasing Traditional Sri Lankan food. Evening entertainment will include the youth of the area showcasing traditional dancing (bharatha natyam).

Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts are focused on providing the best Sri Lankan hospitality coupled with authentic experiences that would result in memorable moments to take back home. Guests who choose to spend their New Year at a Cinnamon resort would find themselves able to observe and partake of the customs and traditions in its original sense, providing an opportunity to educate the younger generation in particular of the vitality of such traditions.