About Vishu Festival

Vishu, also spelled Viṣu, is a Spring festival celebrated by the Malayali Hindus in Kerala and the Tamil Nadu region of India. Vishu (Sanskrit: “equal”) celebrates the vernal equinox, when day and night are about the same length.

Although the celestial equinox falls at the end of March, the Vishu festival falls on the first day of the Malayali month of Medam, which falls on April 14 or 15 in the Gregorian calendar.

The festival begins at sunrise with religious offerings for the coming year. A tray of flowers, specifically the yellow flowers of the golden bathing plant, along with fruits and vegetables, rice, coins and offerings, is placed next to the lamp in the family puja room or in the Hindu temple. Seeing this gift – called vishukkani (“the first glimpse of Vishu”) – the first thing that happens in a dream is thought to bring abundance of its content in the coming year.

As such, children are often led to vishukkani with their eyes covered. The contents of the vishukkani are given or offered. Coins (called kaineettam) are usually given by a senior member of the family.

The holiday celebration continues with other holiday traditions. A traditional Malayali sadhya feast is prepared, which includes banana chips, curries, rice dishes and other dishes served in banana leaves. Young people wear masks made of dry banana leaves, go door to door in groups and dance and receive money in return. Lights are also lit to celebrate.

Vishu is a Hindu festival celebrated by the people of Kerala, Tulu Nadu district of Karnataka, Mahé district of Pondicherry and some districts of Tamil Nadu. Vishu is celebrated and celebrated to mark the first day of Medam, the ninth month according to the Malayalam calendar.

Vishu is celebrated in the second week of April and usually falls on the 14th or 15th. This year, Vishu is celebrated today on Friday April 15. Vishu is called a regional festival in Kerala. The Malayalam calendar, also known as Kolla Varsham, is believed to have been in existence since 825 AD.

History and Significance

According to legend, Vishu is believed to be the day when Lord Krishna, the avatar of Lord Vishnu, revealed his true form to his devotees. It is also done to mark the beginning of spring and harvest time in the country. It also marks the victory of Lord Krishna over the demon Narakasura.

One of the most important things in Vishu is seeing Vishu Kani. Those who observe and celebrate the festival see Vishu Kani as the first thing in the dawn. It is said that looking at Vishu Kani can improve the whole year and bring good luck to people. Vishu is a time when families and communities come together, celebrate the New Year and pray for prosperity and happiness in the coming year.

How to celebrate Vishu?

People of Kerala celebrate Vishu festival with great joy and enthusiasm. On this day, people worship Lord Vishnu and Lord Krishna in the popular festivals of Vishukkani, Vishu Kaineettam and Vishubhalam.

Seeing Vishukkani, which means “the first thing seen on the day of Vishu”, is the most important ritual of the day. For this ceremony, all the auspicious things considered to represent good luck and prosperity in the house are kept in a special bell bag and placed in front of Lord Krishna or Lord Vishnu.

A lamp is lit by the eldest woman in the family early in the morning and Vishukkani is observed by all the members in the morning. People clean their houses a day before the festival to welcome prosperity and happiness.

On the day of Vishu, people decorate the entrances of their houses with flower ornaments, bananas and rangolis while at night the houses are lit up with decorative lights. Vishu ashamsakal (thanksgiving) is also celebrated and people go to the temple of Lord Vishnu, where special prayers are offered in the festival.

Facts About Vishu Festival

Vishu – Malayali New Year

Vishu, meaning “equal”, is the celestial festival of the Hindu New Year in the state of Kerala. It marks the completion of the vernal equinox. At this time, the sun enters the Aries zodiac or Mesha Raashi. This festival is celebrated with great joy and the preparation of good things and amazing decorations across the state.

Vishu – Lord Vishnu

The festival is marked by the sight of Lord Vishnu as the first act of the day. It is generally believed that one’s future depends on one’s achievements, and the new year will be better if one starts this day by considering Lord Vishnu as the first thing. People go to various temples of Lord Vishnu to receive blessings from the Lord.

Vishu Kanji and Vishu Padakkam

Vishu celebrations are incomplete without Vishu Kanji and Thoran. Vishu Kanji is made with coconut milk, rice and spices, it is the main ingredient. Thoran is a side dish. Bonfires, also known as Vishu Padakkam, are a major part of Vishu celebrations.

In different parts of North Kerala, everyone indulges in bursting crackers on the evening of Vishu as well as in the morning. Malayalam New Year is considered as a great day for letting go of the past and giving life a new start.

Puthandu – Tamil New Year

Puthandu or Tamil New Year is celebrated in the month of Chitterai, the first month of the Tamil solar calendar. It is believed that on this auspicious day,

Lord Brahma started his creation, so he is considered as a religious person. Tamils ​​greet each other by saying “Puttantu valttukal”, which means Happy New Year. On the evening of Puthandu, a dish is prepared with 3 different fruits like mango, banana and jackfruit along with other important ingredients.