Vishu, also known as Vishu Kani, is one of the most well-known and celebrated spring celebrations in southern India. For Keralites, it symbolises a fresh start. In the nearby Tamil Nadu regions, Malayali Hindus also commemorate it. As calculated by Indian astrology, the Sun enters the Mesha Rashi on the day of Vishu.
Origin
Malayali Hindus celebrate the spring festival of Vishu, also spelt Viu, in the Indian states of Kerala and neighbouring Tamil Nadu. The vernal equinox, when day and night are essentially equal in length, is celebrated as Vishu (Sanskrit for “equal”). The Vishu festival takes place on the first day of the Malayali month of Medam, which falls on either April 14 or 15 on the Gregorian calendar, even though the astronomical equinox occurs in late March.
Significance
Vishu is not traditionally observed as the start of the new year in the Malayalam calendar. On the first day of Chingam in the Malayalam calendar, the New Year begins. However, it states that Vishu is regarded as the astrological New Year in the Malabar region.
According to the myth, Lord Krishna slew the demonic Narakasura on this day, and as a result, the Vishu festival is observed to commemorate the triumph. As a result, Malayalis in India and all around the world celebrate it with great fervour and vigour.
Celebration
It will be observed on Saturday, April 15, this year.
People visit temples while dressed in new clothing. They gather as a family to take advantage of the day. As a result, specific customs are observed on the occasion.
Early in the morning, they take a shower. They then take a seat to pray. Then a Vishu Kani is set up, which includes a lit metal lamp, cucumber, rice, areca nuts, betel leaves, gold jewellery, brand-new clothing, coins, mangoes, jackfruit, a metal mirror, and lemon. Before starting the day, family members must look at these items and their reflections in a mirror.
Young people go door to door in groups to dance for money while dressed in masks and dried banana leaves. Additionally, fireworks are released in celebration.
Rituals
Panchaloham, a combination of five metals, is the traditional material used to make uruli. The five elements of the universe, represented by Panchaloham, are earth, water, fire, air, and space. The gold coins on the Kanikkonna represent money and spiritual treasure, which the family’s elders must distribute to the younger generation.
The flowers on the Kanikkonna symbolise the eyes of Lord Vishnu. Deepams are stored in a split coconut’s two halves. As well as a lit bell metal lamp (Nilavilakku), Ashtamangalyam may also be maintained in the Uruli that is situated in front of an idol or picture of Lord Krishna.
The merger of Prakruti and Purusha is materially represented by the Kani. It is claimed that Lord Vishnu, Lord Krishna, and Kala Purusha all reside in the Uruli, which symbolises Prakruti. His headdress is the Kanikkonna, his face is the Kanivellari, his eyes are the coconut lamps, and his mind is the Valkannadi.
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The deepam is lit to welcome God into our lives and as a representation of driving out ignorance’s shadow. By God’s grace, the New Year begins in auspicious fashion for us, and it is up to us to share this love, joy, and hope with the rest of society. When people arise from sleep, they immediately close their eyes and walk towards the location of Vishu Kani.
Food
Every Malayali home traditionally prepares a “sadhya” for the feast. Rice, sambar, chips, pickles, aviyal, rasam, assorted sweets, and payasam make up the dinner. Specialties include the sour mango soup Mampazhapachadi and the bitter neem dish Veppampoorasam.
Connection to nature
During this time, Vishu integrated everything. A migratory bird known as Vishu Pakshi (Pakshi meaning bird) typically travels to Kerala during this period. Given that the day and night last the same amount of time, Vishu has enormous astrological importance. Major Malayalam publications publish Vishubhalam, or astrological forecasts, for the following year. On the day of Vishu, agricultural season preparations also get on.
