Vishu - the beginning of the malayalam new year 2016

I wish you all a very happy Vishu!

We, Keralites, celebrated Vishu today, as usual, in a grand manner.

This auspicious day marks the beginning of the new year according to our traditional calendar. 'Kani Kanal' is an important event that takes place early morning in every Hindu household here when an elder person ushers other family members keeping their eyes closed to the pooja room to have darshan of "Kani", where 'Kanikkonna', the golden yellow flower that you see on the GIF image and many other sacred items are placed in an 'Uruli', a shining brass vessel in front of deities symbolically representing prayers and offerings for a prosperous, happy and blessed year ahead!

I have blogged about this festival before too, kindly check :

http://magnificentdewdrops.blogspot.in/2014/04/vishu-popular-festival-in-kerala.html

http://magnificentdewdrops.blogspot.in/2013/04/vishu-time-of-joy-hope-and-celebration.html

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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.

Check my post about last year's Vishu: http://magnificentdewdrops.blogspot.in/2013/04/vishu-time-of-joy-hope-and-celebration.html

May I take this opportunity to wish everyone a very happy Vishu 😊

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

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