Vishu Ashamsakal: Vishu is one of the most important festivals in Kerala, and Malayalis all over the world celebrate the day with much fanfare.
This year, Vishu is being celebrated on April 15.
Observed on the first day of the Malayalam month of Medam, the harvest festival heralds the beginning of the spring season. The astrological New Year for the Malayalis indicates the movement of the Sun to Aries or the Mesha Rashi. Farmers begin the ploughing of land and other agricultural activities on this day.
What Is Vishu Kani?
The first thing people are supposed to see on the day is a ritual arrangement that the woman of the house, usually, makes in the puja room. ‘Kani’ means "that which is seen first". A typical Vishu Kani (that which is seen first on Vishu) consists of auspicious items such as rice, a photo/idol of Lord Vishnu, flowers, fruits and vegetables, betel leaves, clothes, money and gold/silver coins, a mirror, holy scriptures, a lamp, and yellow flowers called Kanikkonna.
It is believed that Vishu Kani seen at dawn brings good luck for the entire year.
The woman, usually the grandmother or mother, who arranges the Vishu Kani items at night wakes up at the Brahma muhurta (4-6 am) and lights the lamp. After taking in the auspicious sight, she wakes up other family members and leads them to the puja room, covering their eyes that they open to see the lamp and the Vishu Kani arrangement.
Food, light, money, knowledge, which form part of the Vishu Kani, signify a year of abundance.
Importance of Vishu Kani
The colour central to the Vishu Kani is yellow — from Kanikkonna flowers to gold coins. Kanikkonna blooms only around this time of the year. Fruits and vegetables arranged as part of the Vishu Kani are also mostly of the yellow or gold colour — bananas, jackfruit, mangoes and vellari (golden cucumber).
After the auspicious sight of Vishu Kani, it’s time for Vishukkaineetam. As per the custom, elders in the family give money to those younger than them. Vishukkaineetam means the distribution of wealth, and it’s considered a symbol of prosperity. Those who can afford it give money not only to their own family members but to neighbours’ children, the poor and domestic help too.
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Once the ritualistic ceremonies are over, people spend the day merry-making by bursting crackers and feasting.
Malayali households prepare a traditional feast, Sadya, without which the festivities are considered incomplete.
The feast comprises an array of vegetarian dishes — sweet, sour, salty and bitter — made with seasonal fruits and vegetables such as mango, jackfruit, coconut, pumpkin, and different gourds.