Vishu - Vishukkani

Vishu is a festival held in the state of Kerala (and adjoining areas of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu) in India around the first day in the Malayalam month of Medam (April -- May). This occasion signifies the Sun's transit to the zodiac Mesha Mesha Raasi as per Indian astrological calculations. Vishu is also considered as the Malayalam New Year day and thus the importance of this day to all Malayalees regardless of their religion or sect.

The festival is marked with offerings to the divine called Vishukkani. The offerings consist of a ritual arrangement in the puja room of auspicious articles like raw rice, fresh linen, golden cucumber, betel leaves, arecanut, metal mirror, the yellow flowers konna (Cassia fistula), and a holy text and coins, in a bell metal vessel called uruli. A lighted bell metal lamp called nilavilakku is also placed alongside. This arrangement is completed the previous night. On the day of Vishu, the custom is to wake up at dawn and go to the puja room with the eyes closed so that the Vishukkani is the first thing one sees. Since the occasion marks the beginning of Malayalam New Year, it is also considered auspicious to read verses from Hindu Holy book Ramayanam after seeing the "Vishukkani".

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Vishu
• Vishukkani

[vvlvijaya]

Jam?aw2

[anupk47]

I was randomly searching for a video of good vishukani and saw this one. The voice looked very familiar. Then I saw the relatd videos and realised this is Lakshmi chechi and Biju ettan. What a coincidence and a wonderful kani.

[Braandan]

thanks for that vishukkaNi.. i enjoyed the background voices more.. sounds like Palakkad vernacular (calling dad as "ache" instead of "acha")

[topramod]

Chingam is considered as 'kaarshika puthu varsham' - agricultural new year, where in all the people (including farmers and others) reap their one year efforts and thus celebrate as Onam with much enthusiasm.

Vishu is the day when Sun does the 'Meda Samkramam' or changes the rasi and there is a story from Ramayana which signifies the importance of this day. Both are very significant days per our culutre, though Vishu is mostly considered as New Year Day.

[ssllmms]

IndianTerminal

[akdm137]

medam is the firt of malayalam year hence vishu on that day!if u go to manorama online they have a calander.

[regalparks]

Is Medam the first month of the new malayalam year, or Chingam? I though I heard somewhere that Chingam is the first month of the new year. I'm not familiar with the Malayalam calendar so if you could enlighten me on this I would appreciate it.