The Sinhala and Tamil New Year has a unique relationship with the Ayurveda medical system and traditional medical system in Sri Lanka. The rituals and traditions which we perform during the Avurudu season highlight the importance of being healthy. Being healthy and preserving one’s health is one of the goals in Ayurveda as well.
Avurudu traditions start with worshiping gods, mainly the Sun God, after which the whole festival is planned according to auspicious times. People believe that such traditions and rituals will wade off evil spirits and misfortunes, and bring peace and prosperity to the country as well as into a person’s life.
Ayurveda describes diseases that originated from forces beyond human control and has given the name “daiva bala pravritta”, meaning these diseases are originated by providential dispensation or by the acts of “raksha” or “gods”. Along with it, Ayurveda also mentions a treatment type called “daiva vyapashraya”. People believed that offering and worshiping various gods as well as performing rituals and pujas will help them to gain good health while attaining mental tranquillity, and that it will cure these diseases.
“Nonakatha” is an auspicious time period that comes during the Avurudu season. During this time, people dedicate their time for various religious activities. This is considered as a transitional period and an inauspicious time to start any propitious work. These kinds of traditions are not only followed during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, but also in Ayurveda. Ayurveda mentions transitional periods that involve the changes of the seasons. When one season changes to another, there are changes in the surrounding environment as well, and that will directly influence the human body and will cause diseases, it is believed. In order to prevent such illnesses, the Ayurveda medical system mentions food articles and behavioural patterns that should be followed during this season. It is advised to have light food or follow complete fasting so that the “dosha” fluctuations will be minimal.
Another Avurudu tradition is bathing for the passing year. It has been advised to use herbal ingredients while bathing. Medically it is advised to apply herbal pastes on the scalp and hair and anoint herbal oils to the body before bathing. These measures will help cure scalp diseases, reduce hair loss, and give a soothing effect for the body. Adding a herbal bath along with these rituals will help in various diseases.
During this time, each family gets together and shares the first meal according to the auspicious time. People forget all their problems and get together to celebrate this ritual. This indicates the importance of mindful eating and a wholesome meal. This will help to reduce the risk of being ill. Ayurveda always explains that the overall health of a person depends on a balanced body, mind, and spirit.
Another ritual that goes hand in hand with the Ayurveda medical system is “hisathel gaama”, which is anointing medical oil to the head. The oil application is known to promote health and longevity. Anointing medicated oils to the scalp and head has its benefits: It will promote hair growth, delay greying of hair, reduce hair fall, strengthen hair, and cure dandruff, migraine, headache, sinusitis, etc. These are only a few examples that show us that Sri Lankan Ayurveda and the Sinhala and Tamil New Year have similarities and that Avurudu comes with its own way of keeping us healthy.
(The writer holds a BAMS [Hons] from the University, of Colombo, is reading for an Msc in Food and Nutrition-University of Peradeniya, and holds a Diploma in Panchakarma)