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The most important event in Vishu is the Vishukkani, which literally means The first thing to be seen on the Vishu day post waking up.. The Vishukkani consists of a ritual arrangement of auspicious articles like raw rice, fresh lemon, golden cucumber, betel leaves, arecanut, metal mirror, the yellow flowers konna (Cassia fistula), and a holy text and coins, in a bell metal vessel called uruli in the puja room of the House. A lighted bell metal lamp called nilavilakku is also placed alongside. This arrangement is completed the previous night. On the day of Vishu, the custom is to wake up at dawn and go to the puja room with the eyes closed so that the Vishukkani is the first sight of the new season. Since the occasion marks the beginning of Malayalam New Year it is also considered auspicious to read verses from Hindu Holy book Ramayanam after seeing the Vishukkani . It is also believed that the page of the Ramayanam to which you open up will have a bearing on your life in the coming year. Devotees also throng the well-known temples like Sabarimala Ayyappan Temple, Guruvayur Sree Krishna temple to have a Vishukkani Kazhcha on the early hours of Vishu day.
Vishu is a cultural festival celebrated in the Indian state of Kerala and in the neighboring states usually in the second week of April in the Gregorian calendar. It marks the new year in accordance with Kolla Varsham the Malayalam calendar. This occasion signifies the sun's transit into the Meda Raasi (first zodiac sign) according to Indian astrological calculations, and represents the vernal equinox. "Vishu" in Sanskrit means "equal".
Vishu is more religious and important for Hindu believers compared to Onam festival which is celebrated secularly by all Keralites.
The most important event in Vishu is the Vishukkani, which literally means "the first thing seen on the day of Vishu after waking up". The Vishukkani consists of a ritual arrangement of auspicious articles like raw rice, fresh lemon, golden cucumber, betel leaves, arecanut, metal mirror, yellow flowers konna (Cassia fistula), and a holy text and coins, in a bell metal vessel called uruli in the puja room of the house. A lighted bell metal lamp called nilavilakku is also placed alongside. This is arranged the night before Vishu. On Vishu, the custom is to wake up at dawn and go to the puja room with eyes closed so that the Vishukkani is the first sight in the new season. Reading verses from the Hindu Holy book Ramayanam after seeing the "Vishukkani" is considered auspicious.
Shot at 3.00 a.m..
A Tradtional Vishu Kani Setting
The festival is marked with offerings to the divine called Vishukani. The offerings consists of a ritual arrangement in the puja room of auspicious articles like rice,linen, cucumber, betel leaves, matal mirror, holy text and coins in a bell metal vessel called uruli. A lighted bell metal lamp called nilavilakku is also placed alongside. This arrangement is completed by the women of the house during the previous night. On the day of Vishu, it’s a custom to wake up at dawn and go to the puja room with the eyes closed so that the first thing a person sees is the Vushukani.
Vishu is an agricultural festival celebrated in India. It is one of the major festival in Indian states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Vishu falls on the first day in the Malayalam month of Medam. Vishu marks the Sun's transit to the zodiac Mesha Raasi as per Indian astrological calculations. As per the Gregorian Calendar Vishu falls on the 14 April but this year we are celebrating this on April 15th. Vishu in Sanskrit means equal.
It is a new year festival for us keralites it is similar to Baisakhi in Punjab, Bihu in Assam, Naba Barsha in Bengal, Bisu in tulu Nadu region in Karnataka, Vishuva Sankranti in Orissa and Puthandu Tamil Nadu.
For us vishu means Vishukani ( arrangement as seen above in the pooja room by the eldest lady in the family, this is the first auspicious thing we see that morning, we believe this will give us a new start for that whole year, we prepare this the night before vishu ), Vishukaineetam (the pocket money and new dress elders give u) and Vishubhalam (a future predictions about the whole year :P).
Vishu kani normally consists of the following things: Rice, kasavu mundu @ new dress with kasavu ( Kerala style Sarang with golden embroidery), gold coins,silver coins, cash, mirror, fruits,halved coconut, konna poovu -Cassia fistula-yellow flower(as a non resident Indian I am missing this traditional flower. All this is presented in uruli an open-mouthed shallow circular vessel made out of bell metal.
On Vishu day there will be special poojas on Krishna temples.
Now the fun part : food and all the associated fun.
We have sweet and sour dishes in our grand feast with seasonal vegetables and fruits.
Vishu - Traditional Festival of Kerala is the first day in the first Malayalam month of Medam (March – April). The traditional rituals followed in the festival is believed to usher in another year of prosperity for the Keralites. The Malayalees make elaborate preparations for this day to ensure that the year ahead will be a fruitful one by following the custom of seeing the Vishukani (auspicious sight) early in the morning.
Dear All,
One more Vishu is coming… It’s time to celebrate the fresh start and spread love from heart…
Wishing you and family a wonderful year ahead filled with health, happiness and prosperity…!!
Shot taken from the celebrations at Office...
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Do not use this photograph without permission
Cassia fistula or Golden Shower Tree, a flowering plant in the family Fabaceae, a popular ornamental plant,also used in herbal medicine. In English, it is also known as the golden shower cassia and also as Indian laburnum or golden shower.
The golden shower tree is the national flower of Thailand and the state flower of Kerala in India. The flowers are of ritual importance in the Vishu festival of Kerala.
Shot from... Napier Museum Compound, Museum Jn, Thiruvanathapuram District, Kerala State, India.
Vishu is a Hindu festival celebrated in the Indian state of Kerala.
The most important event in Vishu is the Vishukkani, which literally means " the first thing seen on the day of Vishu after waking up". The Vishukkani consists of a ritual arrangement of auspicious articles like raw rice, fresh lemon, golden cucumber, betel leaves, arecanut, metal mirror, yellow flowers konna (Cassia fistula), and a holy text and coins, in a bell metal vessel called uruli in the puja room of the house. A lighted bell metal lamp called nilavilakku is also placed alongside. This is arranged the night before. On Vishu, the custom is to wake up at dawn and go to the puja room with eyes closed so that the Vishukkani is the first sight of the new season.
"Vishu" is celebrated with much fanfare and vigour in all parts of Kerala.[citation needed] Setting off firecrackers is part of the celebration, especially for children. People wear new clothes (Puthukodi) for the occasion and elders of the family gift money, called Vishukkaineetam, to children, servants and tenants.
Vishu is also a day of feasting. The foods consist of equal proportions of salty, sweet, sour and bitter items. Feast items include Veppampoorasam (a bitter preparation of neem) and Mampazhappulissery (a sour mango soup).
Cassia fistula or Golden Shower Tree, a flowering plant in the family Fabaceae, a popular ornamental plant,also used in herbal medicine. In English, it is also known as the golden shower cassia and also as Indian laburnum or golden shower.
The golden shower tree is the national flower of Thailand and the state flower of Kerala in India. The flowers are of ritual importance in the Vishu festival of Kerala.
Shot from... Napier Museum Compound, Museum Jn, Thiruvanathapuram District, Kerala State, India.
Cassia fistula or Golden Shower Tree, a flowering plant in the family Fabaceae, a popular ornamental plant,also used in herbal medicine. In English, it is also known as the golden shower cassia and also as Indian laburnum or golden shower.
The golden shower tree is the national flower of Thailand and the state flower of Kerala in India. The flowers are of ritual importance in the Vishu festival of Kerala.
Shot from... Napier Museum Compound, Museum Jn, Thiruvanathapuram District, Kerala State, India.
Cassia fistula or Golden Shower Tree, a flowering plant in the family Fabaceae, a popular ornamental plant,also used in herbal medicine. In English, it is also known as the golden shower cassia and also as Indian laburnum or golden shower.
The golden shower tree is the national flower of Thailand and the state flower of Kerala in India. The flowers are of ritual importance in the Vishu festival of Kerala.
Shot from... Napier Museum Compound, Museum Jn, Thiruvanathapuram District, Kerala State, India.
Cassia fistula or Golden Shower Tree, a flowering plant in the family Fabaceae, a popular ornamental plant,also used in herbal medicine. In English, it is also known as the golden shower cassia and also as Indian laburnum or golden shower.
The golden shower tree is the national flower of Thailand and the state flower of Kerala in India. The flowers are of ritual importance in the Vishu festival of Kerala.
Shot from... Napier Museum Compound, Museum Jn, Thiruvanathapuram District, Kerala State, India.
14th of April is celebrated as a New Year by people in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.The day is called Ugadi or Vishu in most places.
This photograph is of an arrangement of lights, fruits, mirrors, flowers and jewels called as the Vishu Kani
PS: Cropped out the negative space on the right using PicNik.
"കാലമിനിയുമുരുളും... വിഷു വരും
വര്ഷം വരും... തിരുവോണം വരും
പിന്നെയോരോ തളിരിനും പൂ വരും കായ് വരും..."
-- എന്. എന്. കക്കാട്
Vishu is a festival celebrated in the state of Kerala in South India.
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Cassia fistula or Golden Shower Tree, a flowering plant in the family Fabaceae, a popular ornamental plant,also used in herbal medicine. In English, it is also known as the golden shower cassia and also as Indian laburnum or golden shower.
The golden shower tree is the national flower of Thailand and the state flower of Kerala in India. The flowers are of ritual importance in the Vishu festival of Kerala.
Shot from... Napier Museum Compound, Museum Jn, Thiruvanathapuram District, Kerala State, India.