wishing all malayalees a very happy Vishu. I know it is too late to wish you.here is a brief description about Vishu for those who is not familiar to Vishu and Kerala culture.
Keralites all over the world are set to celebrate the Malayalam New Year, Vishu. This year, the festival will be observed Thursday, April 14.
The auspicious day begins withVishukkani, which is the first thing devotees see soon after waking up from sleep in the morning. For the traditional New Year sighting, elders of the family arrange holy texts, coins, rice, fruits, vegetables, metal mirror, betel leaves, arecanut,kanikkonna flowers (Cassia fistula) and lighted brass lamps in the prayer room near Lord Krishna’s statue that will be decorated with garlands.
Following this, elders give money to the younger ones and this gesture is known asVishu kaineettam, as a symbolic representation of wealth and sharing. The festival is also known forPuthukodi (buying new clothes),Vishu Sadya (feast) andVishupadakkam (firecrackers). The sumptuous lunch will have differentvarieties of items, includingmampazha pulissery, Vishu kanji, Vishu katta, payasam, among many others.
Devotees also visit the popular Sabarimala and Guruvayur temples for theVishukkani Kazhchaduring the early hours of the day. Meanwhile, the first day of the solarcalendar is celebrated asPuthanduin Tamil Nadu,Bisu in Mangalore and Udupi,Ugadi in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, and Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra.
History of Vishu
While some believe that demon Narakasura was killed by Lord Krishna on Vishu, others relate the festival to the killing of Ravana, the demon king, and is said to be the day from whichSurya deva (Sun God) began to rise from the East.
once again HAPPY VISHU all.