In April, Victoria Golf & Country Resort in Sri Lanka celebrates Aluth Avurudu, otherwise known as Sinhalese New Year. Michael Neider is currently based at the golf course as part of a Troon task force assignment and he was able to experience first hand the unique local celebrations. Here he recounts his experience with the golf club associates.
Victoria Golf & Country Resort celebrated Aluth Avurudu for all associates which is to commemorate Sinhalese and Tamil New Year. The holiday is typically celebrated on 13th or 14th April, coinciding with the new moon.
Over the past couple of years the typical celebrations were put on hold due to Covid-19, but this year Victoria Golf & Country Club was able to bring back the celebrations in a big way.
The event begins with a traditional candle lighting ceremony to start the day and then consisted of 24 various sports and activities that all associates were able to participate in. One of the marquee events was a Sri Lankan Pillow fight where two competitors balance on a log and attempt to knock off their competitor with a pillow. Additional events included more traditional events such as tug of war, potato sack races, egg toss, pin the nose on the elephant and many more.
In addition to all of the events, the team celebrated with traditional music and dance and all associates wore traditional Sri Lankan Sarongs. The end of the celebration concluded with prizes for all of the winners and a banquet for all.
After what has been a tumultuous past few years for Sri Lanka, the return of this annual celebration was a welcome respite from these challenging times and a really unique cultural experience for me to be included in.
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