Vishu 2023: Vishu is a Hindu festival celebrated in Kerala, the Tulu Nadu region of Karnataka, the Mahe district of Pondicherry, and certain districts in Tamil Nadu. Vishu is celebrated and observed on the first day of the ninth month of the Malayalam calendar, the Medam. It is observed during the second week of April, typically on April 14 or 15. This year, Vishu is being observed on April 15, Friday. Kerala has designated Vishu a regional holiday. The Malayalam calendar, also known as Kolla Varsham, is believed to have been in use since 825 CE.
The spring festival is observed annually on the first day of the Malayalam month of Medam, which corresponds to April 14 or April 15 on the Gregorian calendar. This year, the holiday will be observed on April 15.
Vishu conveys the message of prosperity and good fortune. This festival is ushered in by the extensive blooming of the Kanikonna (Laburnum) flower. This was once the New Year’s celebration in Kerala, long before the Kollavarsham calendar was established. In the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu, Vishu is the New Year’s holiday. Additionally, Kalivarsham and Sakivarsham begin with Meda Vishu. Vishu is regarded as the New Year by mathematical science as well.
On Vishu day, which has geographical and astrological significance, it is believed that the Sun will rise above the Equator. A year has two distinct phases: Dakshinayanam and Utharayanam. In the former, the Sun is located on the southern side of the Equator, whereas in the latter, it is located on the northern side. Consequently, in one phase the duration of the day will be prolonged and the night will be shorter, while in the other phase the opposite will occur. Tula Vishu and Meda Vishu are the only two days in which the Sun rises directly on the Equator.
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Chithira Vishu is mentioned in Bhaskara Ravivarman’s unfinished Trikodithanam Shasanam, who ruled Kerala between 962 and 1001. According to scholars, Vishu had become a significant holiday by that time. It is believed that Vishu celebrations originated in Kerala during the reign of Sthanu Ravi, who governed from 844 to 855 A.D. William Logan’s Malabar Manual mentions Vishu as follows: Mathematically, Vishu is the first day of the year. Today, the Sun rises directly from the east.
Vishu marks the beginning of spring and harvest season in the country. It also commemorates Lord Krishna’s victory over the demon Narakasura.
Seeing the Vishu Kani is one of the most significant occurrences in Vishu. People who observe and celebrate the festival consider Vishu Kani to be the first thing at dawn. According to legend, the sighting of Vishu Kani can make the entire year better and offer people good fortune.
Children and other family members are blindfolded and led to the altar to view Vishu Kani and the decorations. Rice, golden cucumber, jackfruit, coins, currency notes, and an image of Lord Vishnu are among the ingredients used to prepare Vishu Kani.
On the Vishu day, it is said that Lord Sree Krishna dispatched the demon Narakasura. Another fascinating legend involves the demon ruler Ravana. Ravana had never permitted the Sun to rise directly from the East, and it was on a Vishu day after Ravana’s demise that the Sun began to rise from the East.
North India celebrates Vishu as Bihu. The southern Indian regions of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka celebrate Ugadi.
Vishukkani, or the viewing of auspicious artifacts, is an integral part of the harvest festival of Kerala, Vishu. It is believed that the first object one observes on the morning of Vishu determines the upcoming year’s prosperity. Therefore, a collection of fortunate objects will be arranged to be viewed first thing in the morning.
The senior female member of the family will arrange the Vishukkani, which consists of rice grains, fruits, Konna (Laburnum) flowers, gold, and fresh coins – all of which symbolise prosperity – on the day before the Vishu day. A lit Nilavilakku (Kerala’s traditional lamp) is placed in a gleaming bell-shaped metal dish in front of an image of Lord Krishna to complete the ensemble.
In temples, Vishukkani is also arranged. Guruvayoor, Sabarimala, and Kulathupuzha are well-known for their Vishu festivities and Vishukkani sightings.
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The giving of Vishukaineettam or hansel by elders to children is a significant ritual associated with Vishu celebrations. On the Vishu day, after spotting the Vishukkani, the elder member of a family distributes money to the junior members. It is believed that the impact of this symbolic action will last for the remainder of the year. Money is also given to family members and domestic workers.
Vishukkani Vili is a tradition prevalent in the north Malabar region of Kerala that involves children moving from one house to the next in villages while calling “vishukaniye, vishukaniye.” The children collect kaniyappam, a form of rice cake, by using the fresh midrib of a coconut leaf when they arrive at the homes where this call is sounded. During this time, the local astrologer visits and hands each family their Vishu astrological forecast for the coming year, written on coconut leaves. This forecast would include topics such as rainfall availability, agricultural yield fluctuations, etc. The kaniyan also determined the favourable day for cultivating agricultural land with oxen. This day would fall between Vishu and Pathamudayam, the tenth day of the Malayalam month Medam.
Chal signifies channel in Malayalam. On the holiday of Vishu, the spade is decorated with rice flour and prayers are performed. The most senior member of the family and other family members enter the rice field with a decorated plough and implement. The field is covered with a form of pancake, and then small channels (called chal) are created. The next step is to cover the field with livestock manure and green manure. This field is subsequently used to cultivate rice as well as vegetables such as elephant yam and tuber crops.
Vishu is also the time to discover the Kali Samkhya. This is based on the Samkhya philosophy of Hinduism in regards to the material universe with all its rotation, revolution, and gravitational movements, etc. The morning of the first day of the Malayalam month Medam is pertinent for calculating the Kali Samkhya and for determining the Kali Samkhya for the first day of subsequent months.
On the day of Vishu, breakfast consists of Vishu Kanhi (rice porridge) and lunch is a traditional vegetarian feast. The brunch rice porridge is composed of rice, coconut, and jaggery. During Vishu, this breakfast dish is popular in the northern Malabar region. And for the feast served at lunch, jack fruit (Erissery) curry and mango are important dishes.
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