Sinhala and Tamil New Year celebrations at Cinnamon’s city hotels

Cinnamon’s city hotels comprising the five-star properties Cinnamon Grand and Cinnamon Lakeside along with the lean luxury brand Cinnamon Red hosted memorable Sinhala and Tamil New Year (Avurudu) celebrations at each of their properties, providing in house guests, locals and foreigners alike a chance to experience and enjoy Sri Lanka’s much awaited Avurudu traditions.

Cinnamon Grand’s stunning village in the city Nuga Gama hosted a truly authentic avurudu celebration on 13 April, following auspicious timings and rituals, complete with fun traditional games, and a festive table of kiribath and an array of sweetmeats. Starting from 3 p.m., the Nuga Gama compound was filled with eager kids and ecstatic parents partaking in numerous games such as kana mutti, aliyataaehathibima, gunny bag race, lime and spoon race, buniskaema and coconut scraping. Over 200 patrons partook in the day’s activities.

At Cinnamon Lakeside, guests gathered at the hotel’s lobby on the 13th evening, to follow customary practices at the auspicious timing along with the hotel’s management. The hearth was lit on time and upon the overflowing of the pot of milk on the hearth symbolising bounty and prosperity, guests joined in to light the traditional oil lamp, followed by a traditional meal.

Cinnamon Red organised an internal celebration at the dawn of the New Year on 13 April, lighting the hearth at the auspicious time in the kitchen. On the morning of 14 April, the hotel’s lobby cum café, Stirred hosted the guests to a traditional New Year table with sweetmeats galore!