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::: Vishu |
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Vishu
occupies a unique position in more than one respect. As symbol of the unostentatious Malayali, Vishu is free from the usual pomp and show and merry-making associated with other festivities. When almost all the festivals are connected in some way or other with religion, Vishu has nothing to do with it, though it is observed with religious solemnity. The first day for Medam is the unchangeable day of Vishu, whereas other festivals are determined according to the lunar asterisms on which they fall.
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| Vishukkani |
The Vishukkani, also called kanikanal, is inseparable from Vishu. According to the age-old belief of Malayalees, an auspicious kani at the crack of dawn on the Vishu day would prove lucky for the entire year. As a result, the Vishukani is prepared with a lot of care to make it the most positive sight so as to bring alive a wonderful, propitious and prosperous new year! The Malayalam word kani literally means "that which is seen first," so "Vishukkani" means "that which is seen first on Vishu."
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The custom of preparing the kani has been followed for generations. The women take a large dish made of bell-metal (uruli), arrange in it a grantha (palm-leaf manuscript), a gold ornament, a new cloth, some flowers from the Konna Tree (Cassia fistula), some coins in a silver cup, a split coconut , a cucumber, some mangoes and a jack- fruit . On either side of the dish are placed two burning lamps with a chair facing it.
Gold—both in colour and in coin—is central to the Vishukkani. Kanikkonna, a golden-yellow flower is used liberally throughout the puja room. This flower only blooms when the sun is in its most exalted position astrologically—the month surrounding Vishu. Family members are taken blindfolded and then their blindfolds are removed and they view the Vishu Kani.
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It is not the Solar New Year—the day when the sun crosses the equator, heading northward—a common misconception. It is possible that this confusion has arisen due to the fact that in Kerala the Vishu celebration originated about 1,654 years back. At that time, the Solar New Year took place at the same time as the Zodiac New Year. But where the Zodiac New Year is a constant, the Solar New Year is changing at a rate of one degree every 74 years. |
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Vishu Celebrations |
Vishu Kaineetam - Children wait eagerly for this ritual. The elders of the family starting with the grand father or father give away Kaineetam to the younger ones. The Kaineetam consists of coins (now mostly notes) with Konna flowers, rice and the gold from the Uruli. The gold and the rice are returned to the Uruli and touch the eyes with flower. It is also a custom to give Kaineetam to all the people associated with the house such as servants, field workers and land-tenants. The principle is the symbolic sharing of the prosperity and wishing happiness for all. |
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Vishu Sadhya -
So, here comes the Sadhya (Feast). The sadya comprises of rice made of newly-harvested grain, dishes such as erisseri, olan, aviyal, kaalan, thoran, puli inji, pacchadi, and payasams such as paalada and ada pradhaman.
Vishu Kanji - Saddhya is a major part of all Kerala festivals. But for Vishu, Vishu Kanji and Thoran are more important. The Kanji is made of rice, coconut milk and spices. For the side dish, that is Thoran also there are mandatory ingredients.
Vishu Patakkam - Fireworks is an important part of Vishu celebration in many parts of North Kerala. In the morning and the previous evening, children enjoy bursting crackers.
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| Vishu Customs - In certain parts of Kerala, where the paddy cultivation commences after the monsoon, there is an observance called chal (Furrow) closely associated with Vishu . This is nothing but the auspicious commencement of the agricultural operations, in the new year. |
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