The Sinhala and Tamil New Year (Avurudu in Sinhala), has become an important national holiday for both Sinhala Buddhists and the Tamil Hindus of Sri Lanka.
Rituals associated with the Aluth Avurudda begin with bathing on the last day of the old year and viewing the moon on the same night. The pealing of the bell accompanied with the beating of drums (hewisi) in the village temple announces the times to perform the different rituals.