Vishu Festival 🌼

Vishu (Malayalam: വിഷു, Tulu: Bisu) is a Hindu festival celebrated in the Indian state of Kerala, Tulu Nadu region in Karnataka, Mahe district of Union Territory of Pondicherry, neighbouring areas of Tamil Nadu and their diaspora communities.The festival marks the first day of Medam, the ninth month in the solar calendar followed in Kerala.It therefore always falls in the middle of April in the Gregorian calendar on 14th or 15th April every year.

The festival is notable for its solemnity and the general lack of pomp. The festival is marked by family time, preparing colourful auspicious items and viewing these as the first thing on the Vishu day( Vishukkani). In particular, Malayalees seek to view the golden blossoms of the Indian laburnum (Kani Konna), money or silver items, cloth(pattu), mirror, rice and other harvest products.The day also attracts firework play by children, wearing new clothes (Koti) and the eating a feast called Sadhya. In Kaineettam, elders give a small amount of pocket money to kids.

The Vishu arrangement typically includes an image of Krishna. People also visit temples like Sabarimala Ayyapan Temple or Guruvayoor Sree krishna Temple or Kulathupuzha Sree BaalaShasta  Temple to have a ‘Vishukkani Kazhcha’ (viewing) in the early hours of the day.

If Onam is the number one festival of Keralites, Vishu takes the second spot. It comes on the first day of the Malayalam month Medam (April), which is also the Spring Equinox, when the duration of day and night are equal.

On the day of Vishu, seeing the Vishukanni (offerings placed in prayers rooms at homes and and in front of deities in temples) as the first thing in the morning is believed to be the harbinger of the year’s prosperity and good luck. The offerings comprise flowers of golden shower (kani konna) tree, vegetables, fruits, traditional lamp, metal mirrors, coins, rice, holy text etc. placed inside a metal vessel called uruli. A lighted bell metal lamp called nilavilakku is also placed alongside. Giving of handsel (kaineettam) by an elderly person in the family to younger members is an integral part of the celebrations.

Wish you a happy wealthy day…

Thank you…