Today is Vishu, the New Year Day of Malayali people who spread all over the world. Actually New Year is celebrated in all the Indian States in this month of April, though on different dates. History says most of the ancient civilizations had the beginning of their calendars in the month of April, when the sun starts his northward journey from the equator and summer begins.
NEW YEAR DAY
New Year days were calculated according to the movements of the sun and the moon. In India most of the states have their New Year Day according to the lunar system. Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, Bengal and Panjab have their New Year Day in April as per the solar system. The lunar systems have their days earlier this month. Although the New Year Days have different names in different states, their celebrations and the rituals seem to be the same. In Tamil Nadu it is called Chithirai Thirunal and in Kerala it is Vishu.
VISHU: AUSPICIOUS BEGINNING
Vishu means an auspicious start. It falls on the first day of Medam, the first month of the Malayalam calendar. It makes the whole year filled with enthusiasm with the blessings of God, nature and all the people. The cultural aspect of Kerala blossoms into its fullness with various programs. The trees are full of the flowers of spring. The golden yellow Konna flowers decorate the whole country in shining draperies.
VISHUKKANI
The first sight of Vishukkani is said to be the fountainhead of these celebrations. Vishukkani is the colorful arrangement of many auspicious objects in a betel nut vessel. This custom of Vishukkani First Sight stemmed from the belief that good things seen first on the first day ensured prosperity and happiness throughout the whole year! Vishukkani includes ornaments made of gold or silver, colorful new clothes, a heap of rice or paddy, bell metal mirror, halved jack fruits, halved coconuts, cucumber, the golden color Konna flowers and lighted oil lamps!
For generations of centuries this custom of preparing the Vishukkani has been followed. The womenfolk of the household take the initiative in preparing and arranging it.The children of the family helped the elders in doing the odd jobs and collecting the Konna flowers.
Early in the morning the elders of the family take their young ones blindfolded to the place where the Vishukkani is kept. When the folds are detached they are in a surprise happiness which makes them enthusiastic by viewing the auspicious Vishukkani.
