A festival we celebrate
Life flows with certain changes since we meet different people and different functions in our lives. Obviously, these changes color our lives or else it would be something boring. We all live with our own social, cultural, and religious values and we celebrate those values with various festivals. Christmas Day, Sinhala and Tamil new year, Vesak festival, Ramasan, Deepawali, and Haj are some examples of these festivals. There are unique ways of celebrating each festival. All the people respect and follow relevant activities. It is our responsibility to transfer these values to the next generations since they are our own heritages.
As Sri Lankans, we celebrate Sinhala and Tamil new year every April. It usually falls on the 13th or 14th. All Sinhala and Tamil people celebrate this festival. Before the festival day, all people are eager on clearing their houses and surroundings. We clean our gardens and plant new trees. Some people whitewash their houses. They don't forget to rearrange the curtains, or types of furniture. Sometimes we buy new furniture items for our home. Because all they do are for the purpose of welcoming the new year. Even we buy new clothes. We prepare many sweets by using the harvest obtained from paddy fields and Chena / traditional farming. So we are ready to celebrate our festival.
Even nature gets ready for the festival after the monsoonal rains at the end of March or the beginning of April. The trees get dressed with fresh leaves after shedding mature leaves. Ultimately they start blooming. Koo starts singing. Eramudu flowers with reddish flowers make a pleasant scenery. Tanks full of water indicate the prosperous next farming seasons through which we get benefited as a nation. These all sign the arrival of our new year.
On the new year festival, we do all the activities regarding the given auspicious time. Here proudly presenting the unity of our nation, all the people used to do respective activities at the same time. Everyone dresses new dresses they bought. There is an allocated time duration to engage with our religious observances. We never forget to share our food with relatives and neighbors. Our close ones are gifted with new clothes. We worship our elders. They offer us many gifts. We even show our respect and gratitude to our well for providing us with water throughout the year. Since it is the new year, new plants are planted. Little ones play games as groups.
We were offered these kinds of values by our previous generations by which people can be reunited and lead for a successful future ahead. It is our responsibility to protect these values and ensure transferring them to the next generations.