In April, Sri Lankans begin celebrating their National New Year ("Aluth Avurudhu" in Sinhala and "Puththandu" in Tamil). Unlike the usual practice in Western cultures where the New Year begins at midnight, the Sinhala and Tamil New Year begins at the time determined by the astrologers. In fact, the conclusion of the old year is also specified by the astrologers.

In addition, there is a period of a few hours in between the conclusion of the Old Year and the commencement of the New Year. This is called the "Nona Gathe" or neutral period. During this time people are expected to keep off from all types of work and engage only in religious activities. This also coincides with the time when the harvest ends, so the colorful fruit from the trees is collected in bulk to fuel the week-long celebrations.

The rituals begin with the cleaning of the house and lighting of an oil lamp, as women congregate to bash on the raban (drum). Families indulge in a variety of rituals which are determined by astrological calculations.

Avurudhu has become an important national holiday for both the Sinhalese Buddhists and the Tamil Hindus of the island. It is unique as it is not celebrated elsewhere in the world.

Buddhists honour the birth, enlightenment and death of Lord Buddha on the full moon day in May. Devotees visit temples with flowers and offerings and take part in religious observations and activities. In addition to the religious significance of this holiday, it is also a festival of light and colour. Buddhist houses are decorated with oil lamps and paper lanterns known as 'Vesak Lanterns'. Large pandals depicting Lord Buddha's life are erected throughout the country along with puppet shows and open-air theatre performances. As it is considered meritorious to offer food and drink during Vesak, roadsides are dotted during this holiday with booths or 'dansals' offering free food and drinks.

The Bradby Shield encounter comprises of two Rugby matches played between two leading rugby Schools in the country; Trinity College , Kandy and Royal College , Colombo . This match attracts much enthusiasm from the sporting public as well as the two schools involved. The first match between Royal and Trinity was played on 31st of July 1920.

Bradby is the name of the Royal principal Mr. E. L. Bradby, who for the first time awarded a shield to the winner of both encounters in 1945. Since then the encounter has become a regular feature in the rugby calendar. It has become tradition for Royal and Trinity to play two games - one in Colombo and one in Kandy with the order alternating every year. The shield is awarded to the team that has the highest aggregate at both the matches.

The significance of the Kandy Esela Perahera is to invoke blessings of the Gods to give the farmers rain to cultivate their crops. This ritual is performed by carrying the sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha through the city streets.

The Tooth Relic was brought to Ceylon ( Sri Lanka ) in the year 310 AD and the first perahera was performed in Anuradhapura - the first capital where the sacred relic was housed. It is currently located in the hill capital of Kandy where it lies in the "Dalada Maligawa". This three-storey building was built solely for the purpose of housing. The Sacred Relic is the most visited and important temple of Sri Lanka .

The ritual of the Esela Perahera continues in Kandy with more and more people attending each year to watch the majestic tusker proudly parade the streets of the ancient Sinhalese kingdom. It is followed by more than a hundred elephants with the custodians and other officials dressed in the traditional Sinhalese attire of chieftains riding them. The sound of blowing conch shells and whip cracking starts off the excitement or the approaching perahera. The parade is completed by the beating of at least three types of traditional drums, the Kandyan dancers, acrobats, and other artists that perform in the light of flame torches.

Christmas Day and New Year's Eve have always been two of the most exciting days of the year at the Mahaweli Reach Hotel.

Guests can expect a variety of activities to keep them entertained. These include........