Vishu

Held on : 15th April

Vishu is one of the most popular South Indian Festival. It is celebrated widely in the state of Kerala and some parts of Tamil Nadu. The term 'Vishu' denotes 'Equal' in Sanskrit language. It is the Traditional New Year for the residents of this state. As the people belonging to this region speak Malayalam, it is also known as Malayalam New Year. According to the Indian astrological calculations this day signifies the Sun's transit to the zodiac - Mesha Raasi (Aries - first zodiac sign). Astronomically speaking, it represents the vernal equinox. Therefore Vishu is considered to be denoting one of the equinox days. Traditional Malayalam Calendar marks the 1st day of the first month Medam (March-April) of the New Year as Vishu. As per the Gregorian calendar, Vishu generally falls on April 14th. Vishu can be referred as the 'South Indian Baisakhi, Bihu or Puthandu'. This is because similar occasions are being celebrated in other parts of India, though in a different manner but with same intent, i.e. New Year. Thus, it is Baisakhi in Punjab, Bihu in Assam and Puthandu in Tamil Nadu. Apart for few exceptions in certain areas, Vishu largely, lacks in the fanfare and pomp which is generally evident in new year celebrations. Another uniqueness which sets it apart from New Year celebrations in other parts of the country is that, Vishu is more or less astrological favouring occasion and less of a religious occasion. Though, the official Malayalam new year falls on the first month of Chingam (August - September), the traditional one has more importance as 1st of Chingam has no astrological or astronomical value. Traditional Vishu is especially observed in the central and northern areas of Kerala.

History and Origin of Vishu Festival

The origin of Vishu is elusive and obscure as there is lack of literature regarding it. The customs and traditions change slightly from region to region within Kerala itself as per the local values and customs. This makes its even more confusing, not to mention the change in the attitude and lifestyle of the people.

Traditions, Events and Activities

Apart from some regions, majority of the traditions, events and activities are similar in nature all over Kerala.

Vishukkani or Kanikanal - Vishukkani is a Malayalam Word which literally means 'The first thing to be seen on the Vishu morning, after waking up'. The belief behind the Vishukkani is that the fortunes for the coming year depend upon the nature of the object one sees first in the morning of Vishu Day. Thus, the first sight should be the most positive sight. The arrangement is prepared with a lot of care to make it the most positive sight so as to bring a prosperous new year. According to some beliefs if you do not see a proper Vishukkani, then you will lose a year from your life or have bad luck, depending on how much you see. Keeping this in mind, the sight becomes a ritual arrangement (Vishukkani) of auspicious articles like raw rice, fresh lemon, golden cucumber, betel leaves, arecanut, metal mirror, the yellow flowers konna (Cassia fistula), and a holy text and coins. All these items are placed in a Vessel called 'Uruli' in the puja room (prayer room) of the House. Uruli is an open-mouthed shallow circular vessel made out of bell metal.

Preparing the Vishukkani - The eldest lady of the house is responsible for making a traditional Kani as she has the most experience in the household. The arrangement is prepared, the previous night of the Kerala Festival - Vishu. Uruli is traditionally made of 'Panchaloham' which is a mixture (alloy) of five metals (copper, gold, iron, white lead and silver). Panchaloham (5 metal alloy) is used because it is symbolic of the universe, which comprises the five great elements—earth, water, fire, air and space. The first thing to be placed in the Uruli is Rice. Raw rice or in some regions, Akshatam (a mixture of rice and turmeric) is placed in the Uruli. Over it and white kasavu pudava (kerala style sarong with golden embroidery) is spread. Then Kanivellari (golden coloured, shapely cucumber), Vettila (betel leaves), Pazhukkapakku (reddish yellow coloured ripe areca nut), golden coloured mango fruit, ripe yellow jack fruit (halved) and a shining brass Valkannadi (hand mirror) are placed in this order.

A nice, well-starched cloth is then pleated fan-like and inserted into a highly polished Brass Kindi (a spouted puja vessel used for pouring sacred water). The Val-Kannadi, a special type of mirror with an extremely long and thin handle, often decorated with gold, is also inserted into the kindi. The kindi is then placed in the uruli on top of the rice. In many places, Ramayanam or any of the scriptures written on Palm leaves (also called as Thaaliyola) are also added to the auspicious constituents of the Kani arranged in this Uruli. Similarly, Ashtamangallyam may also be is kept in the Kani Uruli. After this, a gold coin or gold ornament is placed on top of all. After this, a pair of halved coconuts in an upright positon, filled with oil along with cotton wicks are placed in the vessel which illuminate the articles inside it. Then in a small flat-bottomed vessel is kept a little rice, a silver coin and some flowers. After the Kanikanal, thinking of a wish, if one takes the coin and check if its top side is head or tail. Depending on this one may know if his/her wish would be realized or not.

The Kani Uruli is then placed in front of the statuette or picture of Sree Krishna. In some regions of Kerala images of Lord Vishnu are used as Lord Vishnu is the preserver of creation and it is an appropriate time to offer obeisance to Lord Vishnu. The Kani Uruli, picture and the surroundings are decorated with Konnappoovu (Indian Laburnum). A Bronze Oil Lamp (Nilavilakku) is lit near it so that it adds glow to golden yellow hue to the Kani-ambience. The lighting of the Coconut lamps is symbolic of god and spiritual knowledge. The prayer room is decorated with Kanikkonna, a golden-yellow flower. These flowers are symbolic of sun and the eyes of Lord Vishnu.

Night before Vishu and Vishu Day - The eve night of vishu is under the vigilance of the eldest lady (grand mother, mother or the eldest sister) of the family. She sleeps near to the Kani, keeping the match box close at hand. She wakes up with her eyes closed and lights up the lamps with prayers on lips. Then she opens her eyes to see the sight that spreads in front and the image of the Lord Krishna as Balagopala (krishna as kid). Then she wakes up other family members one by one and guides them to see the Kani in the Pooja Room. The children are brought keeping their eyes covered by her hands or by a cloth to prevent them from opening the eyes. The Val-Kannadi (mirror) is symbolic of Sree Bhagavathi, the Jaganmata Jagadeeswari (especially in northern kerala). The mirror not only increases the lustre of the Vishukkani with it's reflection but also shows our own face, reminding us that God is not someone sitting in the heavens upon a golden throne, but the pure consciousness that is our true nature. The mirror also points to the importance of making our mind pure enough to render this truth unadulterated. After this it is the turn of the plants, animals and all things movable and immovable like the cattle shed, bank of the ponds etc. and finally it is taken around the house three times. In some places, children and youth prepare the Kani and take it around the neighbourhood chanting Keerthanams (holy carols) accompanied with musical instruments. They get Kaineetam (money gift) from all the houses they visit.

Reading the Holy Book - It is considered auspicious to read verses from Ramayanam (hindu holy book ) after viewing the vishukkani. According to tradition, the page which will be opened will have a bearing one's life in the coming year. In some regions Bhagavad-Gita accompanies the arrangement. The holy book is a symbol of eternal, non-perishable wisdom and knowledge. Devotees also throng the well-known temples like Sabarimala Ayyappan Temple, Guruvayur Sree Krishna temple to have a Vishukkani Kazhcha on the early hours of Vishu.

Vishukkaineettam - Vishukkaineettam is the practice of distributing wealth in the form of coins to people (mostly young family members) on vishu. The elders of the family i.e. the grand father or father give away Kaineetam to the younger ones. The Kaineetam consists of coins (now mostly notes) with Konna flowers, rice and the gold from the Uruli. The gold and the rice are returned to the Uruli after touching the eyes with flower. As per the tradition, this act blesses the distributors children with prosperity in the future. It is supposed to be given freely and accepted with reverence. Some highly affluent families will not only give money to their children but also their neighbours, servants, tenants and sometimes the entire village. People carry out this custom believing that in this way, their children would be blessed with prosperity in the future. People wear new clothes for the occasion and the elders in the family distribute tokens of money to the children.

Dishes - Vishu is also a day of feasting, wherein the edibles consist of roughly equal proportions of salty, sweet, sour and bitter items. Feast items include Veppampoorasam (a bitter preparation of neem),  Mampazhapachadi (a sour mango soup) and Kanji (drink made of rice, coconut milk and spices).

Alternate Names - Malayalam New Year, Malayalum New Year Day.

Holiday Status - It is a Restricted holiday in India.