For a glittering Vishu

Vishu is also a nostalgic time when customs and traditions associated with the festival comes alive

Vishu, which marks the beginning of the Malayalam New Year, brings alive a host of customs and traditions among the Malayalis across the world. A festival filled with joy, happiness and prosperity, the most significant experience in Vishu is the vishukkani, which means the first thing seen on the day of Vishu after waking up from bed.

It is believed that what one sees in the morning as ‘vishukkani' continues to stay throughout the year. So the family members wake up early in the morning and see all the auspicious and colourful things to stay prosperous throughout the year. Children are blind-folded and brought to watch ‘vishukkani'.

The vishukkani consists of a ritual display of auspicious articles intended to signify wealth, together with rice, fruits and vegetables, betel leaves, areca nut, metal mirror, yellow flowers called konna, holy texts of Hindus and coins, usually in the prayer room of the house. Colourful flowers, kuthuvillakku, jackfruit, coconut, fresh vegetables, paddy, coins, currency notes, gold ornaments, new clothes and others are usually decorated in front of the mirror along with the deity of Krishna on the eve of Vishu.

Another tradition associated with Vishu is the Vishu Kaineetam, which is looked forward to by the children in the family.  Small amounts of cash or coin are given to children by the eldest member of the family. People believe that this will ensure prosperity for their children in future. Apart from these customs, a grand celebration follows with the ladies of the house preparing a sumptuous sadya (feast). Special dishes are set using jackfruits, mangoes, pumpkins and gourd besides other seasonal vegetables and fruits.