Tuesday 15 April 2014

Vishu - a popular festival in Kerala

Today we people in Kerala in India celebrated Vishu. 

The day of Vishu is considered as the first day in the Malayalam calendar, akin to the new year, according to the astrological calculations based on the movements of Sun. The most important event is Vishukkani, the arrangement of items like rice, fruits, vegetables, coins, religious texts etc. in a rounded vessel called 'Uruli' in front of the Gods and goddesses in the prayer room in households and viewing these as the first thing in the morning signifying 'all the very best' in the year throughout. The state flower of Kerala, Kanikkonna ( Cassia fistula ) depicted in the picture is an essential part of this auspicious occasion. 

A visit to temples is considered sacred and some offer their prayers to Gods and have darshan, as vishukkani, of their favorite deity as the first thing in the early hours of the morning. 

A grand feast on banana leaves follows at noon. Crackers and sparklers are common accompaniments of this festival almost everywhere.

Elders give vishukkaineettam, a gift in the form of money and new clothes to the young on the day of Vishu. 

In many parts of the world especially in Burma, Nepal, and Thailand as well, similar festivals take place. The popular Songkran in Thailand also falls during this period.


May I take this opportunity to wish everyone a very happy Vishu ðŸ˜Š

Let you all be blessed with luck, prosperity, happiness and love all throughout each day in the coming year ðŸ˜Š

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18 comments:

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi There, I enjoyed reading about your Malayalam Calendar... Here in our country, we Christians are into Holy Week---which leads up to Easter, when Christ was raised from the dead and lives eternally in and through us. Holy Week though is a somber time --when we have to experience Christ's death. So--as you can imagine, there are many emotions this week... The good news for us is that all of the sadness this week leads to JOY on Sunday...

Hugs,
Betsy

Rajiv Sankarapillai said...

Hi Betsy, cool comment :)
Well, in Kerala, the Holy week and Easter is observed with great reverence among the Christians. Will try to post something about it in the weekend.

stardust said...

Happy Vishu to you! Vishu as celebration of the first day in Malayalan Calendar is somewhat similar to our traditional way to celebrate on January 1st, new dress, money gift to children, and feast. The plant really deserve its name “golden shower tree”.

Yoko

Ela said...

This is a very beautiful holiday. I wish you all the best !

Rajiv Sankarapillai said...

Thanks so much,Ela :)

Joy said...

Hi Rajiv. Thanks for sharing your culture. Nice to know how you celebrate Vishu:)

Rajiv Sankarapillai said...

Thank you Joy :)

Rajiv Sankarapillai said...

Thank you so much, Yoko :)
Beautiful comment:)
The english calendar new year that is universally acceptable is celebrated here too in a grand manner. This is the traditional calendar that we follow for religious matters and festivals similar to Chinese new year. As I have mentioned many festivals fall into this period in many south asian countries like Songhran in Thailand.
Cassia fistula or the golden shower tree is the national flower of Kingdom of Thailand too.

Dumcho's NOTEBOOK said...

You are right Rajiv. The Thai was busy celebrating Songkran. Unfortunately, it ended today. Keep posting. Nice write up.

Rajiv Sankarapillai said...

Thanks Dumcho :)
I remember visiting there during Songhran some time ago. I knew this year it ended today. Very cool ;)
Please check some of my posts about Grand palace and the magnificent sculpture in Suvarnabhumi airport. Lovely places and good people :)
Cheers !

Sheena-kay Graham said...

Happy Vishu! So many cultures celebrate different things and the world is richer for it.

Rupasi said...

Happy New Year to you I guess :)
Even my mom also did some kind of pooja today and made 'good' food and we recently had the navratras that mark our new year... but I didnt bother to get acquainted with whatever she was doing as I was sleeping when all that happened. But I guess now I know what was happening! For me 1/1 remains the new year ;)

Rajiv Sankarapillai said...

Hi Sheena, thank you,
Festivals, celebrations... let us make the world better :)

Rajiv Sankarapillai said...

Hi Thinker, cool comment :)
Thank you.
The universally accepted new year 01/01 is the one most popular here too but this has religious significance, you know.
Have a nice week ahead :)

Anonymous said...

(^‿^)❀

Bonjour et merci pour ta visite sur mon petit blog.
Je découvre ton blog et je suis ravie par ton univers.

MERCI pour ce partage.

GROS BISOUS et
bonnes fêtes de Pâques

Brian Miller said...

nice...would be very cool to experience these festivals
happy new year...and thank you for the easter wishes....

Rajiv Sankarapillai said...

Hi Brian :)
Thanks so much :)
Vishu is an important festival in Kerala. Hope you celebrated Easter in a grand manner this year.
Have a great week ahead :)

Rajiv Sankarapillai said...

Thank you, Nancy :)
Happy to note that you enjoyed the post.
Have a funfilled, great and cool week ahead :)