Vishu, Bihu, Baisakh, Naba Barsha, Puthandu

Vishu

‘The fortune for the year depends upon the object that we see first in the morning of Vishu.’ This is a common belief among the people of Kerala. Vishu in the Malayalam New Year day celebrated in Kerala and the adjoining areas of Tamil Nadu. It falls on the first day in the month of Medam according to the traditional Malayalam calendar (usually the 14th) of April according to the Gregorian calendar).

This festival signifies the Sun's transit to the zodiac sign 'Mesha' (Arles) according to the Indian astrological calculations. The day is celebrated as the New Year day under different names in many parts of the country. In Assam, it is called 'Bihu', in Punjab, 'Baisakh', in Bengal 'Naba Barsha and in Tamil Nadu Puthandu.

The most important ritual of Vishu is the 'Kani Kanal, which means looking at the Kani. On the previous night of Vishu, the lady of the housem prepares the Kani. She takes a big bell metal vessel called urull and keeps an idol of Lord Krishna in it.

Then she places fresh agricultural products such as rice, paddy, golden cucumber jackfruit, areca nut, coconut, betel leaves and ripe plantains at the feet of the Lord. She als keeps a gold omament, a new cloth, a mirror, a holy text and coins in the vessel. Then the vessel is decorated with little yellow flowers called "Konna Poovu' (Cassia fistula), which is the regional flower of Kerala.

This arrangement is called Kanl. It is believed to be a symbol of prosperity. A bell metal lamp called nilavilakku is placed near the deity.

At the dawn of Vishu, the lady of the house wakes up first and lights the lamp to see the Kani. Then the other members of the family come blindfolded and open their eyes near the Kani so that it is the first thing that they see.

The people who own cattle take the Kani to the cattle shed and place it there for some time so that the cattle can have a look at it. Seeing the Kani as the first thing is believed to be a good omen. Later, the Kani is distributed among the poor people.

As the day advances, all the family members get ready for the celebrations. They put on new clothes (kodi vastram) and go to the nearby temples. Devotees from far and wide throng the famous temples like Guruvayur, Sabarimala and Padmanabhaswamy temple.

On the occasion of Vishu, there are special arrangements in these temples. Many people perform traditional worship in the temples with the help of the priests. They also view the Vishu kanis that are prepared in the temples.

Later in the day, the elders of the family give small amounts of money to the youngsters as a token of love and blessings. These tokens are called 'Vishu kaineetam'. As a token of gratitude and respect, the youngsters touch their elders' feet. People believe that by performing these rituals they ensure a prosperous future for their children.

Vishu is also a day for merrymaking and meeting friends and relatives. People visit their near and dear and wish them a prosperous New Year. Some of them decorate their houses coloured bulbs and lights.

A variety of delicacies is prepared for the festival. The grand lunch consists of almost equal proportions of salty, sweet, sour and bitter items.

An important dish is Veppam poo rasam. It is a bitter preparation of neem. Mambazha pachadi is another dish worth mentioning. It is a sour mango soup. The whole family sits down to enjoy the Vishu lunch together.

Other delicious dishes are prepared from the vegetables and fruits that are abundant in the season like jackfruits, mangoes, pumpkins, a variety of gourds and coconuts. The evening of Vishu is marked by the bursting of crackers and other fireworks.

The first day of the month of Medam is an unchangeable day according to the lunar asterisms. That is why the day of Vishu is fixed, unlike most other festivals that are decided by the calculations of the lunar calendar.

In certain parts of Kerala, where the paddy cultivation commences after the monsoon, there is an observance called 'chal' (Furrow) closely associated with Vishu. This is a symbol of a prosperous future and profitable agricultural operations in the New Year.

Vishu is an auspicious day for all the Malayalees (natives of Kerala), regardless of their religion or caste. It marks the beginning of a New Year full of hope and joy.