The festival of Vishu marks the beginning of the Malayalam New Year. A variety of customs associated with the festival have been passed on from generation to generation, and thus down through the ages. Read on to learn from Divya Nair about the popular traditions associated with its celebration in Kerala.
Ahead of the festival, an assortment of golden fruits & vegetables like jackfruit, lemon, Kerala cucumber, are placed festively in a brass uruli. Offerings of rice, coconut, betel leaves, precious coins, jewellery are made to Krishna or Lord Vishnu.
1. Vishu Kani
On Vishu, the eldest member of the home lights the lamp on waking up and then wakes the juniors in the family. As soon as the youngsters wake up, they are gently guided to the vishu kani, with their eyes closed, ensuring that the auspicious sight of the beautifully arranged kani fills your hearts and minds with positive thoughts for the rest of the year.
2. Konna Poo
The bright yellow flowers from the golden shower tree, known as 'konna poo' in Malayalam, blooms abundantly during this season. 'Konna poo' or 'kani konna' is placed in front of the mirror in the Vishu kani.
3. Vaalkannadi
Vaalkannadi implies a mirror with a handle and is a special artefact made from an alloy of copper and tin. On Vishu, looking at one's reflection in the vaalkannadi is considered auspicious.
4. Vishu Kanji
On this day, a special kanji (porridge) is prepared using pulivarakka or mocha payaru (a white bean). Please find the recipe here: Vishu Kanji.
5. Padakkam
Padakkam or fire crackers is another important feature of the festivities. After witnessing the Vishu kani, families come together to light crackers, an observance that is much anticipated and cherished by kids and adults alike.
6. Vishu Kaineetam
The celebration is incomplete without the auspicious kaineetam or gift and blessings from elders. Elders give money in the form of coins or cash to younger members, the help, relatives of the family, as a token of blessings. It symbolises goodwill, prosperity, abundance in the coming year.
7. Vishu Sadhya
Like Onam, on Vishu too, Kerala families prepare elaborate feasts using seasonal fruits & vegetables like mangoes, jackfruit, pumpkins, gourds. A Vishu sadhya is a mix of sweet, salty, sour, bitter, like rice, sambar, erissery (pumpkin & lentil based curry), puliyenjii (a tangy ginger-tamarind curry), emphasising joy, gratitude and prosperity.