Vishu

Vishu - a unique festival of Kerala in India

"Well begun is half done". Every year, the people of Kerala - the God's own country - celebrate 'Vishu' with lots of expectations and prayers, to make the coming year more prosperous and peaceful.

Vishu is one of the major festivals of Kerala in India. Vishu, which is also celebrated as the Malayalam New Year day, is on the first day of the Malayalam month, Medam. According to the Hindu astrology, Sun enters the first zodiac sign of ‘Mesha’ on Medam 1^st (14^th or 15^th of April, every year).

The two main rituals of this festival are the Vishu Kani and the Vishu Kaineettam. The word ‘Kani’ means something which is seen first, on a day when you get up from sleep and open your eyes. There is a saying that if the ‘Kani’ is good, then the day also, will be a good one, without any problems. The ‘Kani’ on the Vishu day is much more important because it is the New Year day. It is believed that if you see a good ‘Kani’ on the Vishu day, the whole year will be a happy and prosperous one. So a beautiful ‘Kani’ is arranged on the previous night.

Most of the Hindu homes in Kerala have a separate place for praying. The ‘Kani’ is arranged here, on a table or a wooden plank. A picture of Lord Krishna or Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the entire universe, is kept on this. A large, basin like vessel (Uruli) made of bronze is kept in front of the picture. This will be filled with fresh vegetables, fruits, flowers etc. The most important things among these are a large cucumber of golden yellow color (

Konna Flowers

Cucumis sativus) and a bunch of Konna (Cassia fistula) flowers. By the side of this, a lamp (Nilavilakku) will be placed, filled with oil. A special mirror with a handle (Vaalkkannadi), Betel leaves, Areca nut, coins, holy books like Ramayana or Mahabharata are also placed near this. The room is also decorated with Konna flowers.

In the early hours of the Vishu day, a senior member of the family, usually a lady will get up and light the lamp. She will have the ‘Kani’ first and will pray to the almighty for a happy and prosperous year ahead. After this, she will go and wake up other members of the family one by one. She will close their eyes with her palms and will guide them to the 

In the morning, the head of the family will invite each member to his room. They will go and stand in front of him with folded palms, seeking his blessings. Then, he will give away money to them and bless them a happy and prosperous new year. This ritual is called the ‘Vishu Kaineettam’. After this, the servants are also invited and given their ‘Kaineettam’.place where the ‘Kani’ is kept. In front of the ‘Kani’, she will remove her palms and will ask them to open their eyes and see the ‘Kani’.

A delicious ‘Kerala style lunch (Sadya)’ served on plantain leaves, lighting of fireworks and distribution of new cloths to other family members are also an important part of this festival.

Some interesting facts

Konna Flowers for sale

Even though, Chingam is the first month of the Malayalam calender, Chingam 1^stis not considered as the Malayalam New Year day. As per the Rashi chakra (Zodiac circle), Medam (Mesham) is the first house and Medam 1^st is celebrated as the Malayalam New Year day.

Government of Kerala and several other organizations celebrate Chingam 1^st as the Farmer’s Day.

 Flowers of the Konna tree (Golden shower or Cassia fistula) have a very important place among the Kani items. Konna, also called as Kanikkonna, is the state flower of Kerala. The Konna trees blossom during this season and will be fully covered with golden yellow flowers, without a single leaf.

 

Malayalam months

Malayalam Months	Location of Sun in the Zodiac Chart	Period in Gregorian calendar
Chingam	Simha Rasi	August - September
Kanni	Kanya Rasi	September - October
Thulam	Tula Rasi	October - November
Vrichikam	Vrishchika Rasi	November - December
Dhanu	Dhanu Rasi	December - January
Makaram	Makar Rasi	January - February
Kumbham	Kumbha Rasi	February - March
Meenam	Meen Rasi	March - April
Medam	Mesha Rasi	April - May
Idavam	Vrishabha Rasi	May - June
Midhunam	Mithuna Rasi	June - July
Karkkidakam	Karka Rasi	July - August