VISHU-THE BLESSED DAY!

NANMAYUDE VISHUKANI!

14th,April,2010

Wednesday

Dear Friends,

Good Morning!

A pleasant morning!There was thunder,giving hopes for a shower!But,no,rain is far away!

Today is a holiday due to Dr.Ambedkar Jayanthi!And tomorrow I have taken leave.Who will like to attend work on such an auspicious day?It's Vishu-The New Year Of Keralites and Bengalis!I'm happy that VISHU is my 200th post.I dedicate my Vishu post to Kannan,my Unnikannan who adorns my template with Yeshodha Maiyya.Born and brought up near the world famous Guruvayoor Temple,spending lot of time at the auspicious premises of Kannan,my life revolves Krishnan!The numerous stories of Kannan echo in my ears with great charm!

HAPPY PUTHU VARSHA PIRAVI-NEW YEAR to all my Tamalian friends!It's today!14th April!

Thanks a bunch for your sincere appreciation,suggestions and comments.Without readers,no writer can successfully reach this milestone.At this moment,my heart is filled with true gratitude!I would love to express my love by personal mails;but it is not possible.I reach you personally through my replies for your comments.

Like most parts of India,festivals in Kerala are an integral part of the social and cultural structure of the state and festival time is the best time to join one's family.

Vishu is one of the most important festivals of Kerala.Onam is the harvest festival.Vishu is the time to prepare the fields to sow the seeds of grains.

''When thumba blooms,it is Onam and when Konna blooms,it is Vishu!''Do you know how does this festival got the name,Vishu?The date when the day and night are of the same length is called Vishuvam in Sanskrit.Vishu means equal and signifies one of the equinox.Thulam the day and nights are the same.We celebrate this day of Medam as Vishu.

WISHING YOU A WONDERFUL AND PROSPEROUS HAPPY VISHU,tomorrow on 15th!

'VISHU' , the New Year of Malayalees is one of the important festivals of Kerala.This astronomical or Zodiac New Year in Kerala is observed on the first day of the Malayalam month of 'Medam"( April 14 / 15). In 2010,the Malayalam month is marked on 14th April,but Vishu is celebrated on 15th,April,Thursday.This is because The Surya Samkrmana takes place on 14th,April.
The traditional people of Kerala practise a lot of colourful rituals and customs on Vishu Day.Most of these traditions are based on a belief that Vishu must be celebrated well as the good things of the first day of the New Year will continue for the rest of the year too.The high light of the festival is Vishukani, Vishu Kaineetam and Vishubalam.
The heart of the festival Vishu is the preparation of Kani.The literal translation of Vishukani is the first sight of the day.
Malayalees believe that the fortunes for the year depend upon the nature of the object / objects one sees first in the morning of Vishu day. So preparation is every thing ! Raw rice is put in a circular bell-metal vessel knon as ' URULEE' and over it a folded newly washed cloth is spread.A golden coloured cucumber, halved jack fruit, halved coconut, flowers of the Konna tree ( cassia fistula) , a Grandha ( book of palm leaves), betel leaves, betel nuts, a gold oranament and few coins are placed over the cloth in the vessel.Behind this pot is kept the bell metal mirror (Vaalkannadi) anda galrlanded deity of Lord Krishna. A traditional oil lamp (Nilavilakku)
is also placed before the deity. Then some oil is put into two halves of the coconut , two wicks are lit and this illuminates the goodies inside.

Preparations of Kani are done at night before by the ladiies of the house. Early morning on the Vishu day , one of the members of the house, usually the eldest female member, lights the lamp and look at 'Kani'(an omen). She then wakes up other members of the family one after another and the Kani is shown to every one of them, Children are brought blind by folding their eyes from their beds to where the Kani is kept. The elder in the family give money (Vishu Kaineetam) to the youngsters and bless them. It is believed that the Kani one sees and its good tidings will stay with them till the end of that year. Even the cattle are not deprived of the privilage, as the Kani is taken to the cattle-shed and placed before them to have a dekko.

I fondly remember my Vishu celebrations of childhood.For festivals we must be with our dear and near ones.My Little Star and Maza always loved to prepare the Vishukani. They were never satisfied at the decorations done for Kannan.

On Vishu Day,a grand feast is prepared by women of the house and the whole family sits together at lunch to relish it.For lunch,vegetable dishes are usually prepared from jackfruits,pumpkins and gourds beside other vegetableswhich are in plenty at that time of the season. People also wear new clothes ( Kodi vastram) and burst crackers.Vishu kanji is very important.Coconut is put in kanji.'Puzhukku' is made out of tapioca,yam and other vegetables.

Firecrackers are the main attraction of Vishu!On Vishu,children enjoy bursting the crackers!

In certain parts of Kerala,where the paddy cultivation commences after the monsoon,there
is an observance called CHAAL (Furrow) ---the auspecious commencement of the agricultural operations in the new year ----closely associated with Vishu.

A large number of people prefer to see Vishu kani in temples. A huge rush of devotees can be seen in the temples of Guruvayoor, Ambalpuzha , Sabarimala etc where special prayers are organised to mark the day. People stay overnight in the courtyards of the temples at the night before Vishu to see Kani in the temple.

There are different stories behind each festival.one goes like this.

One day Ravanan,the King of Lanka was enjoying the sun rays in the terrace of his palace.The sun was so bright and Ravanan got angry.Thus he ordered the Sun,not to rise against his palace.henceforth the Sun stopped rising at the east.

Later when Sree Rama killed Ravana in the battle,the Sun started rising again from the east.In the memory of this incident,Vishu is celebrated.

' VISHU' at Vasco Ayyappa Temple:-

Sree Ayyappa Temple, Mangor hills, Vasco is also celebrating Vishu on a grand scale. Vishu day celebrations at the temple (on 15th April ) begin with the Vishukani morning at 4.30 hrs ( Brahma Muhurta). This will be followed by Shodasabhishekam at 5.45 hrs , Ganapathi homam and special poojas. . On Vishu day evening , after perforing Aarati at 7.00 p.m a special Bhajan and devotional song programme will be held at the Mandapa of the temple. Hundreds of devotees from different parts of Goa will reach the temple to witness Vishu kani . Vishuphalam ( fortune for the year) will be displayed on the Notice Board of the Ayyappa seva Samithi at the temple.

In Assam New Year is celebrated as Goru Bihu!It is the festival of the farmers!They wash the cattle early in the morning and apply turmeric.After this,jaggery and brinjal will be given to the cattle.

In Kashmir,the housewives keep ghee,sugar,curds,coin,plantainsand mirror in a tray and show everyone at home on their New Year Day.Interesting,nah?

The small chirpy bird -Vishu pakshi-is singing.....................,''Vithum Kaikottum'',''Chakkakuppundo?'',''Achan kombathu,Amma varambathu''!

Here a Happy New Year begins........a year filled with Hapiness,Cheer,Enthusiasm and Prosperity!''

HAPPY BAISAKHI to all Punjabis!

Asatho ma Jyothirgamaya!From the darkness to the light,let us walk together..........

It's Anu signing off...........

Eethu dhoosara sankalpangalil valarnnalum,

''Eethu yantravalkratha lokathil pularnnalum
Manassillundavatte gramathin velichavum,

Manavum mamathayum,

Ithiri konnappovum!''

My Vishukkaineetam to all!ORITHAL KONNAPPOV!But where is mine?:)

Be like the bright Konnappoov in others' lives

and Happiness is always yours!

Wishing you A beautiful and Prosperous VISHU,

Reminding you Anu loves you sincerely,

Sasneham,

Anu