VISHU
Significance: Beginning on a New Calender Year in Kerala
Held In: April
Main Activity: Vishukkani and Vishu Kaineettam
Falls on the first day of Malayalam month Medam (April), which is the
astronomical New Year Day when the sun crosses the equator.
Through Vishu is identified with the Hindus religious beliefs, it is not
in any way a religious festival. As per popular belief, the first thing
people see on Vishu, the 'Vishukkani', is decisive to the year's
prosperity.
Thus the 'Vishukkani' has over the years become a ritual arrangement of
auspicious articles like raw rice, fresh linen, golden cucumber, betel
leaves, arecanut, metal mirror, the yellow flowers 'konna' (cassia
fistula), and a holy text and coins, in a bell metal vessel called
'uruli'. A lighted bell metal lamp called nilavilakku is also placed
alongside.
As Vishu ushers in a New Year dawn, people wake up to behold the
ritualistic arrangement. Giving off handsel (kaineettam) to the younger
members of the family is part of the celebrations.
