Vishu festival is an important festival celebrated in Kerala, South India. Vishu is the new year festival of Kerala, and is observed on the 1st day of the Malayalam month of Medam (usually April 14th or 15th every year). Malayalis celebrate Vishu as the astronomical or zodiac New Year in Kerala. In 2011, Vishu festival is on 15th April 2011, Friday.
Vishukkani or Vishu Kani
Vishukkani is the most important event in Vishu. Vishu Kani literally means “the first thing to be seen on Vishu day”. Visnukani is a traditional ritual of arranging several auspicious things to be seen on the Vishu day in the early morning. Some of the important things which are arranged include an idol of Lord Krishna, nilavilakku, Kanikonna flowers (Cassia fistula), raw rice, golden cucumber, betel leaves, arecanut, metal mirror, coins, and coconut. The custom is that every member of the family has to wake up at dawn and go the puja room or the place where Vishukkani is arranged and open the eyes and see the Vishu Kani as th first sight for a better year ahead.
Vishu Kaineetam
Vishukaineetam is a ritual of giving money (earlier it was gold and silver coins) by elder members of the family to children, tenants and servants.
Vishu Festival in Kerala Temples
The famous temples in Kerala – Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple, Sabarimala Ayyappan Temple, Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple, Neyyattinkara Sree Krishna Swamy Temple will arrange "Vishukkani Kazhcha" on the early hours of "Vishu" day for devotees. There will be a heavy rush by thousands of devotees to have a Vishukkani Kazhcha of their favourite gods. Though all temples in Kerala celebrate Vishu festival, Vishukkani in temples dedicated to Lord Krishna and Lord Vishnu are of more importance.
New Year Festivals in other Indian States
Vishu is similar to the New Year festivals of other states in India - Puthandu in Tamil Nadu, Bisu in Tulu Nadu region in Karnataka, Naba Barsha in Bengal, Bihu in Assam, Baisakhi in Punjab, and Vishuva Sankranti in Orissa.
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