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The festival of Vishu heralds the beginning of the Malayalee New Year and the festival is celebrated in a big way in Kerala and the adjoining areas of Thamil Nadu. Vishu day marks the Sun’s transit to the zodiac Mesha Rashi as per the Indian Astrological calculations.

The traditional people of Kerala celebrated the Vishu festival with a lot of joy and cheerfulness. There are many traditions which have been followed by different generations or people and there are some customs which has been in practice since last few years. Here are all of the Vishu traditions and customs described.

Vishukkani or the Vishu Sight

The traditional name Vishukkani comes from the Malayalam word “Kani” which literally means “that which is seen first”. So the name Vishukkanu means “that which is seen first in Vishu”.

Under this tradition of Vishukkani, a prescribed list of items is collected and people see it the first thing on a Vishu morning. The tradition originates from the strong belief of the people celebrating Vishu festival that good things seen on the New Year acts as a lucky charm and brings good luck for the entire year.

Uruli is an open mouthed shallow circular vessel made out if ball metal. Behind this vessel, a metal mirror known as valkkannadi and an image of Lord Krishna is placed. Two standing oil lamps are also placed before the deity.

On the day of Vishupulari, (the dawn of Vishu day) it’s a custom to wake up very early and go to the puja room with the eyes closed so that the first thing a person sees is the glorious view of God with Vishukkani, reflected on the mirror. This ritual is known as Kanikanal.

It is also considered to read verses from Ramayana or Bhagwat-Githa after viewing the Vishukkani. According to the customs of Vishu festival, the page will be opened will have a relation with one’s life in the coming year.

Vishukkaineetam

After performing one of the first rituals of Vishu festival, Vishukkani, all of the family members takes bath and wear new clothes to collect Vishukkaineetam. This is a practice of distributing wealth in form of coins. The elders of the family give away coins or notes to the younger ones.

Some of the wealthy families will not give money to their children but also to their neighbours, servants etc. People carry out this custom in this belief that this way their children would be blessed with prosperity in the future.

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Dishes

Vishu is not just filed with traditional rituals, but also the customs of feasting. Special dishes are prepared using jackfruits, mangoes, pumpkins and gourd besides other seasonal vegetables and fruits. The food items consist of roughly equal proportions of sweet, salty, sour and bitter items. Popular feast dishes include ‘Veppampoorasam’ (a bitter preparation of neem), Kanji (drink made of rice, spices and coconut milk) and ‘Mampazhapachadi’ (a sour mango soup).

In small villages, men and women dress up wearing a skirt of dried banana leaves and masks on face. Then they move from house to house and collect rewards for their performance.

3. When is Vishu Festival

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Vishu is one of the most popular South Indian festivals and it is widely celebrated in Kerala and Thamil Nadu. It is the traditional New Year for the residents of these states. The people living in this region speak Malayalam language, it is also known as the Malayalam New Year.

According to the Indian astrological calculations, the Vishu festival day signifies the Sun’s transit to zodiac Mesha Rashi. Astronomically, this festival represents Vernal Equinox. Therefore, the Vishu day is considered to be denoting one of the vernal equinox days.

The first day of the month Medam is marked as the Vishu day. This is the Vishu festival date which generally falls on April 14th. Vishu can also be referred as the South Indian Baisakhi, Bihu or Puthandu, because similar occasions are celebrated in other parts of India, on the same date.

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Baisakhi in Punjab, Puthandu in Thamil Nadu and Bihu in Assam are all celebrated on the day of Vishu festival.

Keralities celebrate this day as Vishu, which is considered as the new beginning and auspicious day and celebrate it traditionally with colourful rituals and customs, accompanied by joy and merriment.

Vishu is more or less astrological favouring occasion and less of a religious occasion. The official Malayalam New Year falls on the first month of Chingam, in the months of August and September.

Although, Vishu festival has more importance than Chingam, as it has no astrological or astronomical value. Traditional Vishu festival is especially observed in the parts of central and northern areas of Kerala.

Hence Vishu is celebrated as New Year. It is a symbol of good luck, hope and prosperity.

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4. Story behind Vishu Festival

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Celebrated on the first day of Medam or the Malayalam month or between the months of April and May of the Gregorian calendar, Vishu symbolises the beginning of the spring season. Vishu, a Hindu festival, is celebrated in Kerala as the harvest festival and the astrological New Year of the Malayalis. Vishu indicates the movement of the sun to Aries or the Mesha Rashi and marksthe day from which the farmers begin the ploughing of land and other agricultural activities.

Significance of Vishu

In Sanskrith Vishu means equal, which implies the day with equal number hours of day and night or the equinox. The day of Mesha Sankranti or Mesha Sankramam, Vishu is a family festival. It is a period dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is celebrated by worshipping Lord Vishnu and Lord Krishna. Vishu Kani, Vishu Kaineettam and Vishubhalam are the three most important aspects of the Vishu celebrations.

Vishu Mythological Connection

Several mythological tales are related to the celebration of Vishu; and as per one such story Vishu is the day when Lord Krishna killed Narakasura a demon. As per another belief Vishu is celebrated as the return of Surya Dev. According to the other folklores Raavana demon king, never allowed Surya Dev or the Sun God to rise from the east. It was on the day of Vishu, after the death of Raavana, the sun or Surya Dev started to rise from the east. Since then, Vishu is celebrated with great zeal.

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The Story Behing Vishu Faith:

As per the religious faith of the people on the previous night of the Vishu festival a Vishu Kani in the prayer room or worship area of the house before the idol of Lord Vishnu and Lord Krishna by the eldest lady of the house. Vishu Kani is regarded as the symbol of good luck and prosperity by all Hindu Malayalis. In Malayalam Kani means “which is viewed first ”therefore, the term ‘Vishu Kani’ means the first thing to be seen at dawn or the early hours of the day. The devotees believe this would bring them prosperity throughout the New Year.

The Vishu Kani consists of a sacred ceremonial preparation of all auspicious goods considered to be the omen of good luck and prosperity. These goods include coconut, betel leaves, Arecanut, yellow Kani Konna flower, Kanmashi kajal, raw rice, lemon, golden cucumber, jack fruit, a metallic mirror, a holy book, cotton dhoti and coins or currency notes. All these articles are collected in a bell shaped vessel made of metal which in Malayalam is called “Uruli”. A traditional bell shaped metal lamp called “Nilavilakku” is also lighted and placed together with the Vishu Kani before the deity. On the day of Vishu, as per the traditional belief of the people all the members of the family have to wake up early in the morning by dawn with closed eyes go to the worship area of the house, to get the first sight of the Vishu Kani because it would bring them good luck throughout the year. Therefore, the Vishu Kani is arranged with great care and precision to create a positive picture.

After seeing the Vishu Khani, people recite verses from Raamayana, the Holy book of the Hindus, which is considered to be a sacred act. Malayalis believe that the first page of the Raamayana which is opened by the devotee has asignificant impact on his/her life in the upcoming year. After this the children and adult burst crackers and this continues from morning to night. Known as “Vishu Paddakam” or the bursting of crackers is an integral part of the Vishu celebration enjoyed by all big and small. This is followed by a traditional feast known as “Vishu Sadhya”.

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5. Importance of Celebrating Vishu Festival

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The native people in Kerala observe Vishu with lot of colourful rituals. This festival signifies prosperity and is a festival of harvest. On the Vishu day the Sun enters the Aries Rashi and there is equal amount of day and night time.

The importance of Vishu festival is to have the right start. The mythology significance is that Lord Shri Krishna killed the demon Narakasura on this day and hence the Vishu festival reason is the celebration of this victory.

A good harvest brings in joy to the common people and it means that their barns will be full. Vishu is celebrated to offer prayers for a good and prosperous year ahead.

The first sight in the Vishu morning is Vishukkani and it includes everything that is a part of a good harvest arranged in an Uruli. The Uruli contains vegetables, fruits especially jackfruit, cucumber, mango, half cut coconut, glass full rice, traditional Kerala dress called set mundu, betel leaf, metal mirror, coconut, gold coins arranged before an image of Lord Vishnu.

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The important aspect of Vishu is also about bonding within the family. The feast known as Sadya is consumed by the whole family and a get together happens between members. The elders give money to the younger ones as it is considered to bring in luck and prosperity. The younger members touch the feet of the elders and take blessings. This tradition of giving money to younger ones is known as Vishu Kaineettam.

Vishu Kodi, a new dress is an integral part. In olden times when farming was the main source of income, buying new dresses were limited to occasions. Now-a-days even with changed scenario the tradition of buying new dress for Vishu still exists.

Fireworks are extensively used in Vishu even more than Diwali. The whole family gather together to enjoy this and hence the bonding becomes stronger. Vishu is all about thanking God for seeking His blessings.

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6. Tradition of Gifting in Vishu Festival

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Vishu festival symbolises the beginning of the spring season and is celebrated as the beginning of the astrological New Year of the Malayalis. Celebrated in Kerala on the first day of the Medam or Malayalam month it also marks the beginning of the harvest season. Malayalis across the globe dedicate this day to Lord Vishnu. On this day Lord Vishnu and Lord Krishna are worshipped. A Vishu Kani is prepared on the previous night of Vishu festival. It is the symbol of good luck and prosperity. The term ‘Vishu Kani.’ implies the first thing to be seen at the dawn of the day; and it is believed that by doing so the New Year brings prosperity in the life of the devotee.

During this festive ritual as per Vishu traditions and customs, people wake up early in the morning and see the ‘Vishu Kani’ and then rejoice by bursting crackers continuously. On this auspicious day the members of a family wear new clothes called the ‘kodivastram’ and visit the temples to see the Vishu Kani and worship. Like all the other festivals, the Vishu festival is also celebrated with great zeal. Unique traditional delicacies are prepared by the women for the ceremonial feast of the festival which are savoured by the family and friends.

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Vishu Kainetamis basically the tradition of gifting in Vishu festival. Currency notes and coins are the most cherished and traditional Vishu festival gifts. A unique family festival Vishu festival glorifies the use and rotation of wealth as it is believed that the “wealth that is shared multiplies doubly”. According to the age old traditions of the Malayalis the younger members of the family receive ‘Vishu Kaineetam’ from their elders. Traditionally all the elders give money to the younger members and the young members touch the elder’s feet and seek their blessings. Vishu Kaineetam is an occasion of great excitement and joy, especially amongst the women, children and other younger members of the family.

Vishu festival is just not a religious ceremony but also a means through which family bond is strengthened as all the members of a family unite and celebrate this festival of prosperity with love and harmony.

7. Vishu Celebration in Kerala

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The first day of Medam, Malayalam month or the period between April and May as per the Gregorian calendar, is celebrated as Vishu in Kerala. This Hindu festival considered as the advent of the astrological Malayali New Year and the harvest festival, symbolises the movement of the sun to the Mesha Rashi (Aries) and marks the beginning of the spring season. It is the time from which the farmers begin the ploughing of land and other agricultural activities.

Significance of Vishu:

Vishu in Kerala: is the day of Mesha Sankraanthi or Mesha Sankramam. It is a family fest and a period when Lord Vishnu is worshipped. Vishu Kani, Vishu Kaineettam and Vishu bhalam are the most significant aspects of Vishu celebrations in Kerala.

Vishu Kani: Vishu Kani means the first thing that one sees on waking up on the day of Vishu. It is a ritual in which the prayer room is set alight with traditional bell shaped metal oil lamps called nilavilakku or tookkuvilakku and the house is decorated with auspicious articles by the women of the house on the previous night of Vishu. All the auspicious objects that are considered a sign of prosperity are collected in a bell shaped metal urn called “Uruli’ and are placed in the pray room of the house, before Lord Vishnu and Lord Krishna.

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These objects including the holy book of the Hindus, a new cloth or dhoti, Kona flowers yellow in colour, betel leaves, betel nut, fruits, raw rice, fresh lemon, cucumber, vegetables, coconut, kajal, a metal mirror and currency notes or coins, are to be first seen. The devotees believe that Vishu Kani brings luck and prosperity throughout the year therefore they wake up early in the morning and with closed eyes proceed to the prayer room to get the first sight of the auspicious objects.

As a common belief the devotees also visit the Sabarimala Ayyappan temple or Guruvayur Sree Krishna temple early in the morning for ‘Vishu Kani Kazhcha’ or seeing the Vishu Kani and getting Vishu Kaineettam or coins of prosperity.

Vishu Sadhya and Vishu Padakkam: The Vishu celebrations are incomplete without Vishu Sadhya and Vishu Padakkam.The grand feast or Vishu Sadhya marks its significant style with traditional cuisines including Vishu Kanji, a porridge made of rice, coconut milk, and spices; Vishu Katta, served with jiggery it is made of rice powder, salt and coconut milk; Veppampoorasam, a bitter dish made of neem; Mampazhappulissery a sour soup made with mangos and Thoran, a side dish.

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Each cuisine has its distinctive taste and is savoured with great joy by the people during the Vishu celebrations. Vishu Padakkam or crackers and lights are an important part of the Vishu celebrations in Kerala and add to the glamour and mood of the festivities. The children burst crackers from the morning after seeing the Vishu Kani and this continues throughout the day.

The joy of the festivities can be clearly seen across Kerala. People dressed in new clothes called Puthukodi and jewelry visit temples and elders gift Vishu Kaineettam or the coin of prosperity which is believed to be the blessing of Prakruti, Shakti, and Lakshmi, to the younger generations including women, children, servants and tenants and bless them for a prosperous year ahead. Young men and women wearing dried banana leaves and masks and disguised as “chozhi” entertain the people by their performances and collect rewards from every house and then enjoy at the New Year fair called the Vishuwela.

Similar Lunar New Year in Other Regions on March / April:

Ugaadi, Gudi Padwa, Yugaadi, Samvatsar Padvo, Navreh, Navrathra, Cheiraoba and Chaithra Navrathri

Similar Fixed Solar New Year in Other Regions on 13th / 14th / 15th April:

Vaisakhi, Puthandu, Maha Vishuva / Pani Sankraanthi, Pahela Baishakh and Bihu

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