Milk boiling ceremony at Sri Dalada Maligawa

The ancient ritual of the milk boiling ceremony was held at the Sri Dalada Maligawa to mark the dawn of the Sinhala and Hindu New Year. The ceremony took place at the auspicious time of 3:21 a.m. today (14), coinciding with the break of dawn.

It is a long-standing tradition to conduct the milk boiling ceremony in front of the Sacred Tooth Relic. During the ritual, milk was poured facing south, as customary.

A new clay pot is used for the ceremony, and a fire was lit at the main entrance of the palace where the Sacred Tooth Relic is enshrined. This year’s ritual was conducted under the patronage of Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela.

One of the primary objectives of this ancient ritual is to invoke blessings and prosperity for the country. Pix by Nimal Kolabissa