How will it look like if you begin a new year by seeing the most pleasant things in front of your eyes? Gold, ornaments, flowers, money, mirror, lighted lamps, holy Ramayana and anything that’s pleasant! Yes, it happens on Vishu when all Hindu Keralites begin a new year by seeing Vishu Kani – Offerings placed to Lord Krishna.

Usually, as every Indian, Keralites also celebrate New Year on 14^th of April every year. Though according to Malayalam calendar Kollavarsham, New Year happens on August 17^th as Chingam, according to sun and planetary movements Vishu is the New Year festival of Kerala. It’s also known to be the harvest festival of Kerala, apart from Onam and devotees offer pumpkin, cucumber and fresh fruits also, along with offerings.

Now let me tell you how Vishu kani is made. The elder lady of the home is authorized to prepare Vishu kani for her family members. One day before Vishu, when whole family sleeps, she prepare Vishu kani before Lord Krishna fondly known as Kannan. She places every symbol of prosperity before him so that at the dawn break, her family members get the visual of the best things of the whole thus giving prosperity and positive feelings a lot. Things placed before Krishna include coconut broken into two, sometimes light may be lighted inside it, tulsi flowers, a mirror to reflect and double everything, sindoor bottle, flowers, holy Ramayana, new Kerala dress, gold ornaments, coins and money, cucumber, pumpkin, green mangoes, mango fruits, apple, orange, pine apple, jack fruit and best of all – Kanikonna yellow flowers. These flowers blossom a lot during hot Medam month and it’s believed that Krishna likes this flower a lot. Then lamp will be lighted before the lady of the home go to sleep.

Next day morning at dawn break, she closes the eyes of every member of the home and brings to see Vishu Kani visuals. Then the master of the home gives Vishu Kaineettam to all members in the form of coins. People celebrate the occasion with Vishu sadya, sweets as well as crackers. Special poojas and Vishu kani will be arranged at Kerala temples too. Krishna temples celebrate this occasion grandly, particularly Guruvayur Krishna temple Thrissur.

Article Posted By : Sandhya Rani  On April 23, 2013lView All Articles

I love this occasion

Article Source :

http://www.veethi.com/articles/vishu---the-harvest-festival-of-kerala-article-2048.htm

Keywords :
vishu , vishu celebrations , kerala festivals