Vishu Festival 2021 April 14

Vishu is one of the most important and unique Malayalam Hindu Festival celebrated in Kerala, India. Vishu Festival is celebrated as the astronomical or Zodiac New Year by Malayalis (Malayalam speaking people) all over the world.

The festival of Vishu is observed on the first day of the Malayalam month of Medam (April - May) and is also regarded as the harvest festival of Kerala. The major attractions of Vishu festival is the Vishukani, Vishukaineetam and Vishubhalam. The date of Vishu festival is on 14 April 2021, Wednesday.

Observing Vishu Rituals

The arrangement for Vishu starts by preparing Vishukkani the previous night before Vishu. On the Vishu day, the custom is to wake up early before sunrise in the morning and proceed towards the puja room with closed eyes and the see the Vishukani or Vishu Kani first. This ritual is called the Kani Kanal or Kanikanal. It is believed that the fortune of the New Year depends on the first thing one sees on the Vishu day. So people prepare the Vishukani for Kani Kanal with much importance so as to bring in another year of prosperity.

Vishu Festival in Kerala

How to prepare Vishu Kani

Vishu Kani is usually prepared by the eldest female member of the family. The Vishukani is exhibited in a circular bell-metal vessel known as ‘Urali’ or 'Urule'. Raw rice is put in it and over it a beautifully folded Kasavu Mundu (traditional Kerala cloth) will be placed. The Urali will then be decorated with a golden coloured cucumber, one coconut broken in to 2 equal pieces, some gold coins, mango, banana, jackfruit, and the beautiful Kani Konna or Kanikonna (cassia fistula) flower which blossoms especially for Vishu. Behind the Urali vessel a mirror and the garlanded idol of Lord Krishna will be kept. The traditional Kerala lamp will be placed near the Sree Krishna idol.

Vishubhalam

As Vishu is considered as the astronomical New Year by Kerala, Vishubhalam or Vishu Bhalam is of great importance. Vishu Bhalam literally means predictions for the next one year. In olden days, a regional astrologer visits the illams (traditional Kerala homes) and used to tell the Vishubhalam or forecast of each family members. Nowadays Vishubhalam is published in popular Jyothisham magazines.

Vishupootu

Vishupootu refers to preparing the agricultural land for the next agricultural season.

Wishing all the Hindu Devotional Blog readers a Happy and Prosperous Vishu!

Comments

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  2. Sri Dhana Lakshmi



    Every Bhaktas first thing all ask is for Dhanam (the wealth - money). And out of 16 Iyshvaryams, the great is the wealth. Sri Dhana Laxmi gives us Dhanam, the wealth. This is one among the main aspect to lead the life.

    For every country to flourish, money needs to be present in that country. Even for the development of the temple, the Arul of Dhanalakshmi is needed.

    At the end of Homam, poojas and any Yagams, we say Dhanam, Dhaanyam, Bhaguputra Labham. In this line - up, Dhanam the wealth is lined up first. And in the sangalpam also, all say "Dhana Dhaanya Samruthyatham.

    And, worshipping Dhanalakshmi is a must and she should be kept along with us with great care. If we neglect her, she will never come to us once again. With great bhakti towards her, person who is very poor can be a wealthy person and by neglecting her, a wealthy person can become very poor.

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