Vishu, the traditional new year
was celebrated in Kerala on Sunday. Devout Hindus turn out in their best, to
start the new year with a visit to the temple.
Vishu is believed to signal good
fortune for the coming year. Temples
are crowded from the wee hours, with the largest crowds gathering at
Sabarimala, Guruvayoor and Sree Padmanabha Swamy temples.
For many, the most important
event of the day is the 'Vishukani' (auspicious sight of the favourite deity).
In Kerala homes, preparations for
Vishukani start the night before the new year, with 'urali' (a special vessel)
cleaned; fresh farm produce is collected and arranged in preparation.
The most popular items that are
placed include rice, grains, cucumber, pumpkin, coconut, plantains, mangoes and
arecanut: These are arranged in the worship room, which is decorated with the
bright yellow konna flowers (cassia fistula - also known as the Golden Shower).
For enterprising young people
across the state, this is one occasion for a quick buck -- they go around
collecting the flowers from the trees, which bloom at this time of year. Then
they make a kit, which has all the required materials for the festival, and
sell it for about Rs.20 or more, depending on the size of the bunch of flowers
and other material kept beside the favourite deity.
The first thing that happens on
the Vishu morning is that young and old people come blindfolded into the presence
of the "Vishukani" that is placed in front of their favourite deity;
this is the day's first sight.
For the children, Vishu comes as
a bonanza: Their pockets get more swollen, as it is customary for elders to
give a 'vishukaineetam' (a gift) to younger ones in the family.
And what are celebrations without
feasting?
While in many northern parts of
the state there is a non-vegetarian lunch to mark the new year, traditionally,
the southern parts of the state celebrate with a 26-course Kerala lunch that is
served on a large plantain leaf.
In the state's northern
districts, fire crackers too are burst in celebration. Palakkad district
authorities, however, in view of the excessive heat this summer, have banned
traders from selling crackers in open places.
The only dampener this year is
that Vishu, a public holiday, has arrived on Sunday.
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