Vishu 2023, the spring festival of Kerala, is celebrated with religious fervor by Malayalis worldwide on Saturday. The Vishu festival is also celebrated in Kerala, parts of Karnataka's Tulu region, Puducherry's Mahe and pockets of Tamil Nadu. The day also marks the New Year for the people following Malayalam calender in Kerala.
There are also several beliefs behind celebrating Vishu on April 15.
Significance of Vishu 2023
In Kerala, the people believe that Lord Krishna, an avatar of Lord Vishnu, defeated the demon Narakasura on this day. According to Astrology, the Sun also enters Aries on Vishu Day, as a report on Mathurubhumi.
Vishu, which means equal in Sanskrit, falls on the first day of Malayalam month Medam. On this day, the sun reportedly reaches the equator.
Despite the different beliefs, malayalis unite together to celebrate the occasion with a set of rituals.
Vishu 2023: How Is The Spring Festival Celebrated?
On Vishu, Keralites wake up to take darshan at 'Vishu Kani' which contains flowers, fruits, vegetables, mirror and other items at dawn. The families also set up a small Lord Krishna idol and lit Nilavilaku, a traditional lamp.
On the occasion, some of the elders give money or gifts to the children of the family known as 'Vishukaineettam'. The ritual is expected to bring good luck and blessing in the new year.
The Malayalis also make a sumptuous Vishu Sadya with various vegetarian dishes including avial, pachadi, thoran, pappu, sarkara vatti, chammathi, inji pulli, pradhaman and many other main courses.
Apart from Vishu, the day is celebrated as new year with different names in other parts of the country including Poila Baisakh in Bengal, Baisakhi in Punjab and Bohag Bihu in Assam, said a report on Times of India.
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