New Year in Sri Lanka
The Sun was God to the primitive races that occupied earth. The Sun has been the base on which time and seasons were counted upon. This Sun festival was practiced in Sri L during the rule of pre-historical Emperor Rawan in Dolapabbatha an area close to Pulasthipura now known as Polonnaruwa. The ancient Egyptians it while the Romans called the Sun God “Ra”. Why was it called “Ra”? It may be because Rawana ruled seven continents than extending to South America. It should be noted that the Asuras were also sun worshippers. In fact, in Rome there was festivity when the sun raised to its heights a festival titled “Saturnalia” in honour of the God Sun. Indeed, it was this festival that later came to be celebrated as Christmas by the 3rd century Christian community in Rome.
Although the current 12 months are solar months, what prevailed earlier in most countries were lunar months and all dating was based on the lunar calendar system. But from the beginning, time has been measured astronomically according to the revolutions of the sun and moon and to the recurring celestial phenomena. As distinct from the Christian era, we also have now the Buddhist era, Hindu era etc. The Chinese for example; celebrate their New Year according their calculations. In the current solar month calendar, an average month has four weeks but, they are 52 weeks for a year. Its 13 months. Further if this calendar is exact, how can there be a leap year?
