Vishu

Today is vishu.

New year is celebrated across the world in one form or the other.
Some follow the Lunar Calender while some other Solar calender and the remaining follow the Gregorian Calender.

World doesn't know much about Vishu. What is Vishu?
It is Malayalam New Year celebrated in kerala, a southern state of India. Malayalam being official language of the state of Kerala, marks this festival as secular in nature. In Assam today they celebrate this day as Bihu, and in Punjab as Baisakhi. There is no fan fare or big celebrations associated with this day.

Vishu is celebrated on first day of Malayalam month Medam. It is celebrated as the Astronomical new year day because as per ancient Indian calculations today is the equinox day when the sun crosses the plane of earth's equator. On this day the Malayalis try to see the "vishukani" to begin the new year with good fortune. Children and adults alike wear new pair of dress or the best they have.

Vishukani: " In circular bell-metal vessel known as 'Urule' some raw rice is put and over it a folded newly washed cloth is spread. A golden coloured cucumber, betel leaves, betel nuts, metal mirror, yellow flowers of Konna tree (cassia fistula), a Grandha (book of palm leaves) and a few gold coins are then placed over the cloth in the vessel arranged in a decorative fashion. Two coconut halves containing oil and lighted wicks are also placed in the vessel which illuminate the articles inside it. A bell-metal lamp filled with coconut oil is kept burning by the side of the vessel."

On this day the elders give some kaineetom to younger members in the family to have a prosperous new year. After this the children start the fire crackers. Then the whole family have a sumptuous lunch on banana leaves.