Nakath (Auspicious Times) for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year 2026

If you’re already in Sri Lanka and plans to become Mid-April, be ready to ‘experience’ bit of local culture attached with the Sinhala and Tamil New Year.

The Sinhala and Tamil New Year will be dawn on the 13^th April.

While the entire country, despite the middle eastern crisis will move into a celebratory state with the public and the private sector expected to go on week long holiday starting from the 12^th.

The Colombo and its closer by surburban streets will go empty from around 12^th to 15^th as millions of Sri Lankans will visit outstation leaving to their homes to enjoy the ‘Sinhala and Tamil New Year’ with their families.

Whilst business establishments, government officers and also hotels where the visitors are expected to stay will have their own plans for the festive season.

The foreigners in Sri Lanka, spending their ‘Winter’ will have diverse experience as hotels will plan ‘Big’ to celebrate the ‘Sinhala and Tamil New Year.’

You as a traveler, visitor to the country will get an wonderfull opportunity to be a part of it, enjoy and also learn and experience a ‘Sri Lankan New Year.’

For definitely, the tourists will also get an opportunity to witness or perform the rituals associated with the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, which are done according to a auspicious time.

RITUALS AND THE AUSPICIOUS TIMES OF SINHALA AND TAMIL NEW YEAR

Seeing the New Moon

For the purpose of sighting the new moon relevant to the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, it is auspicious to do so on Sunday, 19 April 2026.

Bathing for the Old Year

It is auspicious to bathe for the old year on Sunday, 5 April 2026 at 11:08 a.m., after applying herbal oil prepared from kohomba (neem) leaves and bathing, and then engaging in work after worshipping one’s deities.

Dawn of the New Year

The Sinhala and Tamil New Year dawns on Monday, 13 April 2026.

Punya Kalaya (Sacred/Neutral Period)

The Punya Kalaya begins on Tuesday, 14 April 2026 at 3:08 a.m. and ends at 3:56 p.m.

During this period, from 3:08 a.m. to 9:32 a.m., it is appropriate to refrain from all work and engage in religious observances.

From 9:32 a.m. to 3:56 p.m., after beginning work, transactions, and taking meals at the auspicious time, it is appropriate to spend the period in religious activities.

Commencing Work, Transactions, and Taking Meals

It is auspicious to commence work, engage in transactions, and take meals on Tuesday, 14 April 2026 at 9:32 a.m., dressed in green-coloured clothing and facing the south.

Anointing the Head with Oil

It is auspicious to anoint the head with oil on Tuesday, 14 April 2026 at 10:51 a.m., wearing green-coloured clothing and facing the south, with kohomba (neem) leaves and kolon leaves placed on the head.

Leaving for Work

It is auspicious to leave for work on Tuesday, 14 April 2026 at 12:06 p.m., dressed in green-coloured clothing, after partaking of milk rice and sweets, and facing the south.

Planting

It is auspicious to plant on Wednesday, 15 April 2026 at 6:55 a.m., dressed in golden-coloured clothing and facing the east.

Ritual Bathing

It is auspicious to bathe on Friday, 17 April 2026 at 5:38 a.m., dressed in white-coloured clothing and facing the south, after applying oil mixed with moringa leaves.

Leaving for Employment / Business

It is auspicious to leave for employment or business on Monday, 20 April 2026 at 6:27 a.m., dressed in golden-coloured clothing and facing the north.

It is also auspicious on Monday, 20 April 2026 at 6:50 a.m., after eating milk rice and sweets, to leave for employment or business, dressed in golden-coloured clothing and facing the north.

Seeing the New Moon

It is auspicious to sight the new moon on Thursday, 23 April 2026 at 9:01 a.m.