About Nekath Calendar

Nekath (නැකත්) are the auspicious times Sri Lankans observe for important moments: the start of a new year, a wedding, a house-warming, a first day in a new business. This site puts them in one clear, mobile-friendly place, written in English for Sri Lankans and friends of Sri Lanka living anywhere in the world.

The Sinhala and Tamil New Year

Each April, Sri Lanka celebrates the Sinhala and Tamil New Year (Avurudu). The moment the New Year dawns, and the times for cooking the first meal, starting work, anointing the head with oil and setting out for work, are published each year as one unified schedule. The current schedule is the 2027 schedule.

Where the times come from

We do not calculate these times ourselves. Every time on this site is copied from the official Avurudu Nekath Charithra issued each year by the Department of Cultural Affairs and the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs of Sri Lanka. Each schedule page names its source and the date it was published. If you notice a difference from the official schedule, please tell us.

Times outside Sri Lanka

The official times are standard clock times in Sri Lanka (UTC+5:30). The moment of the New Year, and the times of the rituals that follow it, are single points in time, so a Sri Lankan family in London, Melbourne or Toronto can observe them at the equivalent local time. Use the time zone links at the top of each schedule to convert the times. Note that a time late in the evening in Sri Lanka may fall on the next calendar day elsewhere; the date shown always follows the converted time.

A note of care

Nekath are a matter of tradition and belief, and practices differ between families and communities. This site is an information service, not a substitute for the guidance of your own astrologer, temple or family elders.