Vishu –The Malayalam New Year Day

Yesterday recedes; today stands a culmination of yesterday and also a fore runner of tomorrow!

“ Vishu” is being celebrated as the Malayalam New Year ( Maedam 1 ) on April 15 by all Keralites.  In the early morning hours (4 to 5 AM), the first thing to be seen is the ‘ Vishu kani’- an arrangement  of the following things – different fruits like mango, banana, jackfruit, cucumber, holy books like Ramayana and Mahabharatha, special mirror, rice, gold ornaments, coins, flower konna (cassia fistula), betel leaves ,areacanut etc - in a flat  bottom circular vessel (uruli) made of an alloy of five metals. Lights are lit and kept by the side. All family members are led with their eyes closed  to see this arrangement soon after getting up in the morning. The senior member of the family then distributes ‘vishu kai neettam’ to all others. Children burst crackers and other fireworks. Family members then go to nearby temple and pray for their prosperity and well being. For lunch, sumptuous feast ‘sadya’, is serveded.

For Keralites  Vishu thus holds out a brighter tomorrow with spiritual symbolism and nostalgia.