Vishu, the festival holds one of the best memories, for me. Rising up early morning, to see the Vishu Kani in New Garbs and seeing the Gods lit up with deepams, and vilakku, the panchaloha vessel containing fruits, veggies, gold, rice, coins. And the best of all, getting Vishu kaineetams (gifts from elders on the New Year) from elders, which fuels the pocket money for buying crackers, and other activities.
Vishu Kani
What is Vishu: It is the New Year of Keralites – it is the astronomical or zodiac New Year in Kerala and is observed on the first day of the Malayalam month of ‘Medam.’ In 2010, the date of Vishu is April 15. Historically the festival is closely associated with the agrarian economy of Kerala – a state is the southern part of India. The highlight of the festival is Vishukani, Vishukaineetam and Vishubhalam.
The Vishu day celebrations begin with the ‘Vishukani.’ ‘Vishu Kani’ is the first auspicious thing that people see on the day and this takes place during the Brahma Muhurtam. The ‘Vishukani’ is usually prepared on the night before the Vishu day. Immediately on awakening from sleep, people close their eyes and proceed towards the place where Vishukani is placed. This is known as Kani Kanal – kani means ‘that which is seen first.’
In the past,Vishu marked the beginning of the agricultural season and in rural areas farmers used to usher in the day by furrowing the earth as a ceremonial start to farming operations. Devotees throng major temples across the state including Guruvayur Sree Krishna temple and the hillshrine of Lord Ayyappa at Sabarimala for ‘Vishukkani’ darshan. Gifting of cash by elders to their younger ones in the family and a sumptuous feast are also part of the festivities. Children greet Vishu by bursting crackers from the day before Vishu.
Kerala Sadya
Vishu Science & History: In the vedic calander, vishu is the new year day which falls on the Mesha Sankranti day normally 14th April and sometimes on 15th. Vishu word is the short form of Vishuvath. The starting point of the counting of the revolution of earth around the sun is this mesha sankranti (Alpha Aeries point) the point of changing the sign of Sun from Meena to Mesha. This is indirectly told as the crossing of the sankranti line by the Sun because it is so when we view from the Earth. During Aryabhatta’s period , AD 499 March 21st at 1.00 Noon was the Mesha sankranthi vishuvath, which slowly drifted 54’ every year (ayanaachalanam) and this drifting for the last 1500 years resulted in the change of the Mesha sankranti from March 31st to April 14th /15th . New year day of Kali era is considered as this day. So we can say the new Kali year 5012 starts from April 15th vishuvath day according to the vedic calander. The Virodhi Nama samvatsaram will be over by April 14th and Vikruthi naama samvatsaram will start from Vishu onwards. Few experts also say that this change should be counted from March 21st. How ever astronomically the new year day is on April Vishuvath which we have used for spiritual, traditional and social customs and rituals as in the other Indian traditions.
Article with Help from: www.iish.org & www.hindu-blog.com
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