How Is Vishu Celebrated In Kerala?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

Vishu, celebrated in Kerala and by Keralites across India and abroad to mark the start of the Malayalam new year, is a festival of new beginnings and hopes. … Another important feature of the festival is the ‘sadya’ feast including

banana chips, curries, rice dishes, pickles and other

items served on a banana leaf.

Why do we celebrate Vishu in Kerala?

Celebrated in Kerala from the reign of Sthanu Ravi since 844 AD, Vishu is

believed to mark the day when Krishna killed the demon Narakasura

. Hence, Krishna idols are kept in the Vishu kani. Hindus consider Vishnu as the God of Time and so on this festival, Vishnu and his incarnation Krishna are worshipped.

How is Vishu Kani celebrated?

On this day, people

wake up early in the morning and bathe

. Then they sit down to pray. Then, a Vishu Kani has to be arranged, which comprises cucumber, rice, areca nuts, betel leaves, gold ornaments, new clothes, coins, mangoes, jackfruit, metal mirror, lemon, along with a lit metal lamp.

In which Malayalam month Vishu is celebrated in Kerala?

Till the modern Malayalam calendar Kollam Era was adopted in 825 CE, 1st day of the

Malayalam month of Medam (മേടം)

was considered to be the new year. This day is celebrated in Kerala as Vishu today and it coincides with similar new year festivities in several other parts of India.

What do you do on Vishu?

People also visit

temples offering prayers on

this day. People distribute coins among the poor on this day. People usually wear their best clothes on this day and women love to adorn themselves with gold ornaments. Men wear the traditional ‘mundu’ along with khadi shirts.

What is the festival of Vishu?

Vishu, also spelled Viṣu,

spring festival observed by Malayali Hindus in

Kerala and in adjacent areas of Tamil Nadu, India. Vishu (Sanskrit: “equal”) celebrates the vernal equinox, when day and night are roughly equal length. … The festival begins at sunrise with a religious offering for the upcoming year.

Is Vishu Kerala New Year?

Vishu, which used to be the

Kerala new year day

, is celebrated elsewhere but called by other names. It is called Vaisakhi by Hindus and Sikhs in north and central India, which marks the solar new year, and Tamil New Year day called Puthandu.

Which is the first month of Malayalam calendar?

Sl.No Malayalam Month Corresponding English Months (Approximate Dates) 1.

Chingam


August 16

th


– September 15

th
2. Kanni September 16

th

– October 15

th
3. Thulam October 16

th

– November 15

th
4. Vrischikam November 16

th

– December 15

th

Is Onam Malayalam new year?


Onam falls in the month of Chingam

, which is the first month according to the Malayalam Calendar. The celebrations mark the Malayalam New Year, are spread over ten days, and conclude with Thiruvonam. … The Atham day is marked with the start of festivities at Vamanamoorthy Thrikkakara temple (Kochi).

What Kerala festival is today?


Onam

is the most important and popular festival in Kerala. Celebrated with much pomp and fervor, Onam is a harvest festival. Onam is also called Thiruonam and it is celebrated at the beginning of the month Chingam of Malayalam calendar.

At what time should we see Vishu Kani?

Ideal time to watch Vishu ‘kani’ is

two hours from sunrise

. Incidentally, Jupiter travels in a favourable direction during sunrise this year and the propitious time to observe ‘kani’ in India is from 5.54 am to 7.03 am on April 14.

What should be kept in Vishu Kani?

The Vishukkani setting consists of items such as

rice, golden lemon, golden cucumber, coconut cut open, jack fruit, Kanmashi, betel leaves, arecanut, Aranmula kannadi

(Vaalkannadi), golden colour Konna flowers (Cassia fistula) which bloom in the season of Vishu, nilavilakku, idol of Vishnu, and other auspicious items.

Who all celebrate Vishu?

Celebrated in Kerala from the reign of Sthanu Ravi since 844 AD, Vishu is

believed to mark the day when Krishna killed the demon Narakasura

. Hence, Krishna idols are kept in the Vishu kani. Hindus consider Vishnu as the God of Time and so on this festival, Vishnu and his incarnation Krishna are worshipped.

What is the most important festival of Kerala?

  • Onam – The National Festival of Kerala. A legend of Onam is about the sweet memories of distant past when Mahabali, a celebrated emperor of the Asuras (demons) was supposed have ruled over Kerala. …
  • Vishu. …
  • Navarathri. …
  • Deepavali. …
  • Maha Shivarathri. …
  • Christmas. …
  • Easter. …
  • Miladi Sherif.

Why is Vishu called New Year?

The Kerala New Year (Malayalam Calendar) used to be

on the day of vernal equinox

, i.e., the day when the sun is considered to move from the southern to the northern hemisphere. … This day is celebrated in Kerala as Vishu today and it coincides with similar new year festivities in several other parts of India.

What is meant by Vishu?

Vishu, celebrated in Kerala and by Keralites across India and abroad to mark the start of the Malayalam new year, is

a festival of new beginnings and hopes

. The word “Vishu” in Sanskrit means “equal” and hence it celebrates the spring equinox, when day and night are nearly equal.

Maria Kunar
Author
Maria Kunar
Maria is a cultural enthusiast and expert on holiday traditions. With a focus on the cultural significance of celebrations, Maria has written several blogs on the history of holidays and has been featured in various cultural publications. Maria's knowledge of traditions will help you appreciate the meaning behind celebrations.