Vishu: For a Rosy Future

‘Puthuvalsaraashamsakal’ that’s what we have got to say to a mallu when it strikes 12 at midnight for a vishu day. That’s because this auspicious day is the first day of the first Malayalam month medam. Usually this day falls on April 14th.

Vishu is one of the most important harvest festivals of kerala, celebrated all around the state irrespective of religion or culture. In Sanskrit the word ‘vishu’ means ‘equal’.

The heart and soul of this festival is Kanikaanal. This is a custom followed for generations. ‘Kani’ in Malayalam means ‘the first sight’. Thus seeing a good kani on the very best day of the year ensures a wonderful year.

Kani is prepared on the previous day of vishu by the elder women of the family. It contains some of the most auspicious items among vegetables, fruits and other agricultural yield. Kani is arranged in the pooja room and a bell metal (uruli) is arranged and in it raw rice, kani vellari (golden cucumber), betel leaves, areca nut, yellow flowers of konna (cassia fistula), and the holy text are arranged.

A valkannaadi (metal mirror) is also kept. A lighted nilavilakku (lamp) is also present. The mistress of the house sleeps near the kani and sees it first thing in the morning. Then she wakes up the entire household one by one and brings them to the pooja room, blindfolded. They open their eyes to the wonderful sight of this kani. Vishukani kaazhcha are also done in famous temples like Sabarimala Ayyapan temple and Guruvayoor Sree Krishna temple.

Next comes that ritual which we kids eagerly wait for-‘Vishu kaineettam’. The eldest member of the family gives coins to all members of the entire household and all associated with it.

This is to ensure a prosperous year ahead.

Everyone in the family wears new clothes called ‘Puthukodi’. Children burn crackers which are given to them by elders.

A fabulous ‘sadya’ is prepared and the whole family gathers to have a delightful feast. Sadya has almost equal proportions of sweet, salty, sour and bitter food stuffs. Though sadya is very important the integral part of this festival is ‘Vishu kanji’. Mambazhapachedi (sour mango soup) is an important item.

After a delicious sadya the family gathers to rejoice together and pray for a wonderful year ahead.

Well ….that’s what vishu is all about, a celebration of prosperity and hope for a bright future.

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