Vishu – The traditional Malayali New Year and cultural festival in Kerala

Vishu – The traditional Malayali New Year and cultural festival in Kerala

The first day of Malayalam month Medam is celebrated as Vishu in Kerala. It is Kerala’s equivalent to Punjab’s Baisakhi (or Vaisakhi) or Assam’s Bihu and Bengal’s Poila boisha. Malayalis welcome the astrological new year with the Vishu festival.

HISTORY AND MYTHOLOGY

Vishu is believed to have been celebrated since 844 AD when the area was under the reign of Sthanu Ravi. This essentially means Vishu has been celebrated by Malayalis every year for the past 1,173 years. The Sun is said to rise straight from the East on Vishu.

On Vishu, Lord Vishnu and his avatar Lord Shri Krishna are worshipped. Lord Vishnu is seen as the God of Time and since Vishu marks the first day of the astronomical year, people pray to Lord Vishnu. Shri Krishna, Lord Vishnu’s eighth incarnation, is said to have killed Narakasura on the day of Vishu. This could be the reason for people dressing up their kids as Krishna and keeping Krishna idols in the Vishu kani.

Vishukkani
Vishukkani or the viewing of the auspicious objects is an important ritual associated with Vishu, the harvest festival of Kerala. It is believed that the first object that one sees in the Vishu morning determines the prosperity in store for the coming year. Hence, a set of auspicious objects will be arranged to be first beholden in the morning.

The Vishukkani, consisting of rice grains, fruits, Konna (Laburnum) flowers, gold and fresh coins – all signifying prosperity – will be arranged by the eldest female member of the family on the day prior to the Vishu day. Placed in a sparkling bell metal pan in front of the image of Lord Krishna, the set gets complete with a lighted Nilavilakku (traditional lamp of Kerala). Vishukkani is also arranged in temples. The temples of Guruvayoor, Sabarimala and Kulathupuzha are famous for the Vishu celebrations and Vishukkani sighting.

Significance of Vishu

In Sanskrit 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.