When April comes rolling in, you really just need a reason for a vacation. If you were wondering which part of the country you could visit, consider Kerala. But then, Kerala during the summer months can be notoriously hot – quite a far cry from the moniker ‘God’s Own Country’. So why would we recommend it? To celebrate Vishu! Most people know the festival of Onam in Kerala, but Vishu is also one that’s celebrated with much rituals, fanfare, and food! The next time you’re in Kerala during mid-April make sure you join in the festivities and know how Vishu is celebrated in Kerala.
When Is Vishu Celebrated?
As per the Malayalam calendar, Vishu is celebrated on the first day of the Medam month which coincides with mid-April. Now that you know it falls in April, several other festivals might come running to your mind. Baisakhi in Punjab, Bihu in Assam, Vishua Sankrani in Odisha, Puthandu in Tamil Nadu, and Ugadi in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are all synonymous to Vishu and fall around the same time. While the customs and rituals are different, all these festivals mark the start of the New Year.
Why Is Vishu Celebrated?
It’s established that the New Year starts only in April for Malayalis, but that’s not the only reason you must celebrate Vishu. Did you really think an Indian festival would not have mythology and interesting folklore associated with it? Never.
Legend has it that on this day, Lord Krishna slayed the demon Narakasura who was known for his brutality against mankind. Another interesting tale behind celebrating this day with zeal is to mark the return of Surya Deva or the Sun God. In the treta yug, the demon king Ravana had cursed that the sun would never rise from the east. It was only on the day when Ravana fell to his death that Surya Deva rose again. People, especially the farmers, exclaimed and continued to celebrate his return every year on the day of Vishu.
But why farmers especially? A good harvest is attributed to a lot of things, good sunlight being one of them. Farmers especially rejoiced at the profitable produce that was harvested when Surya Deva returned. This is also why Vishu is especially important for farmers because it marks the onset of the harvest season for them.
How Is Vishu Celebrated?
Finally speaking of the best part, how is this interesting festival celebrated? In the simplest of words: with immense zeal! Vishu is a festival that glorifies victory over evil and it welcomes happiness, luck, and a great deal of positivity. The celebrations too reflect that. Families willingly (or forcefully, moms!) come together to clean and decorate the house with lights and rangolis. Konnapoo, known as Cassia fistula, is a special flower that blooms only during this time and is used for decorations.
Witnessing The Vishu Kani
If you’re a Malayali, you know what this is. But for everyone else, this is a ceremonial ritual done in the early hours of Vishu. Vishu Kani or is a sacred ritual that means “the first thing to see on Vishu”. The eldest lady of the house arranges an Uruli, or a large metal brass vessel the night before Vishu.
An idol of baby Lord Krishna, coconuts, betel leaves, Konnapoo, gold, diyas, rice grains, fruits, Hindu scriptures, and a mirror are neatly placed in the Uruli which is then placed in the prayer room or in front of the idol. Early in the morning, the oldest lady in the family will wake you up and lead you to the Vishu Kani all the while covering your eyes with her hands. She’ll then uncover your eyes and you’ll witness the Lord and the Kani bathed in the soft golden light of the diyas – a mesmerizing sight indeed.
The belief is that seeing the Vishu Kani the very moment you open your eyes brings health, wealth, fortune, and prosperity throughout the year. After you’ve seen the sacred Vishu Kani, you must read the holy scriptures present in the vessel, which usually is the Hindu epic Ramayana. Fun fact? Malayalis who celebrate Vishu believe that their lives are influenced by whichever page of the Ramayana they open to.
Enjoying The Vishu Padakkam And Sadhya
After a divine darshan, it’s time for some fun. Vishu Padakkam is the part when you let loose and burst crackers to express joy, not unlike Diwali!
After you’ve spent the morning bursting crackers, you head inside for breakfast, perhaps the most awaited time of the day. Why? For the scrumptious Vishu sadhya, of course! Sadhya is an elaborate feast served to you on a plantain leaf. People would assume it to be for lunch but sadhya usually begins from breakfast where you’ll be served the Vishu Katta or Vishu Kanji as prasad. Besides this, the sadhya served at lunch consists of over 21 dishes that make up your three-course meal.
Vishukodi And Vishu Kaineetam
Festivals are a shared emotion in India. People come closer and share love and joy. For those who can’t share love, there are always gifts! Vishu Kodi is the practice of gifting and dressing up in new attire for the festival.
Vishu Kaineetam, on the other hand, is your trump card to get momentarily rich if you’re the youngest at home. In this practice, all the elders of the family give some money to the youngest member of the family so they can have the time of their lives. Too old for a Vishu Kaineetam? Quite likely that some temples in your vicinity offer it. The Kaineetam usually doesn’t exceed INR 5, but receiving money always feels gratifying!
Summing Up
Vishu is a great festival to share happiness, recall mythological stories, and (if you’re young) make some money! With so much to this festival, it simply can’t be a missed opportunity to witness the vibrant celebration of Vishu in Kerala. And April even calls for a fun summer vacation, so why wait? Get going!
FAQs
What Is Vishu Celebrated For?
Vishu is a Hindu festival celebrated in Kerala. There are several reasons behind celebrating the festival. You can refer to this blog to know the same.
Is Vishu And Onam The Same?
Vishu and Onam are two separate festivals celebrated in Kerala. Both mark different occasions and are celebrated in different months of the year.
Can We Eat Non-Veg On Vishu?
People usually refrain from eating non-veg or drinking alcohol during Vishu. However, there are no hard-and-fast rules forbidding you from doing so.
What Should We Keep In Vishu?
A Vishu Kani is one of the most important parts of the festival. This is a pot in which different items like Konnapoo, an idol of Lord Krishna, rice, fruits, flowers, vegetables, a mirror, and more are arranged.
