The New Harvest Festival, the first of the four traditional festivals (Satara Mangallaya) observed at the historic Viharas and Devalayas of the Kandyan Kingdom—including the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic—was held on the Duruthu Full Moon Poya Day 03rd of January 2026.

At the auspicious time of 10.03 a.m., offerings prepared from newly harvested rice were solemnly presented to the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy. Simultaneously, similar offerings were conducted at other affiliated Viharas and Devalayas, in accordance with this ancient and time-honoured tradition.

In keeping with long-standing custom, the ceremonial distribution of newly harvested rice to Viharas and Devalayas was carried out alongside the New Harvest Festival at the historic granary of the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Pallekele on 29 December. The Diyawadana Nilame, the Basnayaka Nilames, and officials of the Viharas and Devalayas participated in this sacred ceremony.

Accordingly, the new paddy and rice allocated to the historic Gadaladeniya Sri Saddharmatilaka Rajamaha Viharaya, the Gadaladeniya Sri Vishnu Devalaya, and the Dedimunda (Palle) Devalaya were ceremonially transported to their respective temple premises and stored in their granaries on 31 December.

Subsequently, at the auspicious time of 10.03 a.m. on Duruthu Full Moon Poya Day, offerings prepared from the new rice were reverently offered to the Lord Buddha at the historic Gadaladeniya Rajamaha Viharaya, in accordance with ancient tradition and accompanied by sacred ritual music. The offerings, consisting of freshly prepared rice, curries, sweets, betel, and fruits, were placed in an ancient bowl and presented with due reverence.