January, the first month of the year

by Sumana Saparamadu

The Romans gave the world the calendar that is being followed in almost all countries. The first month was named after their God Janus.

Janus had two faces, one looking backwards and the other looking forward.

January was a apt name for the first month, as it suggests looking back over the year that is past and looking forward to the year that is beginning. The beginning of the year is the best time for this.

Janus was the God of beginnings and ends. When the Romans wanted to begin anything well or finish something successfully they implored (begged) for his help.

Janus is shown with a key in his left hand. Romans said he is the doorkeeper of heaven and the protector of their (Romans') gates and doorways.

According to the Sinhala Buddhist calendar that begins with the month of Vesak, we are now in the ninth month of the year, and this month is Duruthu. It was in the ninth month after enlightenment that the Buddha first visited our island, and that is in Duruthu. He came to Mahiyangana to make peace between two Yakka tribes that were at war. Mahiyangana is in the Uva province.

The Kelani perahera which is held around the Duruthu full moon poya is the first of many peraheras that follow. Many think that this perahera marks the Buddha's visit to Kelaniya on a Duruthu full moon day. His visit to Kelaniya was on Vesak full moon day eight years later.

Why, then is the Kelani perahera held in Duruthu (modern January)? It was first held in 1926 to mark the beginning of the restoration of the Kelani Vihara by the late Mrs. D.P. Wijewardena of Sedawatta and has been held annually to the present day.

This month in the Tamil calendar is Thai. Thai Pongal the festival celebrated on January 14-15 is a great festival in honour of Surya, the Sun God, to thank God for a bountiful harvest. Pongal is the honey rice offered to God.

The following day is Mattu Pongal, when farmers pay special attention to bulls that help them - bathing them and adorning their horns with garlands.

The National Day of Australia is January 26, the day the country became an independent Dominian within the British Empire.

It is also the Republic Day of India which became a republic in 1950. Although we in Sri Lanka let the day we became a republic May 22 goes unnoticed, India marks the day with celebrations.

Indonesia also declared independence from the Dutch rule in 1945.

The country which until then was known as the Dutch East Indies, adopted the name Indonesia - meaning Indian islands, from that date. 'Nesia' is derived from a Greek word meaning island.