Vishu

Vishu is one of the favorite festivals of Keralites in Kerala. Celebrated on the first day of the medam, Vishu signifies the beginning of the New Year in the Malayalam Calendar. Vishu is celebrated in traditional splendor by Hindu households to usher in another year of prosperity.

The soul of Vishu celebrations is the Vishukani. The women folk in the household arrange the Kani ( first sighting) in the pooja room before the idol of Lord Krishna on the eve of the Vishu.  Kani is the ritual arrangement displaying articles like cadjan, leaf, raw rice, freshlinen, golden cucumber, betel leaves, arecanut, metal mirror, the yellow flowers called Konna (Cassia Fistula) and coins, all placed in the bell metal vessel called the ‘uruli’

The womenfolk rise early in the morning and light the lamps (nilavilakku) before the kani. The tradition is tro wake up the other family members and take them blindfolded to the pooja room. The blindfolds are then removed so that the first thing they see on New Year’s Day is the auspicious Vishukani. The belief is that catching a glimpse of the reflection of these signs of prosperity. Temples also arrange Vishukani and special pujas to herald the New Year. It is also considered auspicious to read the Ramayana on this day. Vishu is also heralded by wearing new clothes and the elders of the family distribute token gifts of money called Vishukaineetam to children and the poor.

There is also a sumptuous feast at home and the dishes are made from the vegetables that are abundant in the season like jackfruit, mango, pumpkin and a variety of gourds. In North Kerala, firecrackers are lit to herald Vishu and the festival is celebrated with even greater gusto than in the South.

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