Embracing the Divine Vibrance: A Journey through Vishu 2022
"Discover Vishu 2022, celebrate the divine Hindu festival marking the New Year in Kerala, with traditions, rituals, and auspicious beginnings."
As the season of blossoming flowers and lush fields arrives, we prepare to celebrate Vishu, one of the most significant festivals in the Hindu calendar. Vishu, marking the beginning of the New Year in Kerala, is observed on the first day of the Malayalam month of 'Medam', which generally falls in the middle of April. In 2022, Vishu will be celebrated on the 15th of April.
The word 'Vishu' in Sanskrit means 'equal', symbolizing the equinox, when day and night are of equal duration. For the people of Kerala and the Keralites worldwide, the festival is a celebration of life and fertility. Vishu is one of those festivals which unifies the elements of nature with our lives, reminding us of the cyclic nature of time, and the cyclic nature of life itself.
The highlight of Vishu is the 'Vishukkani', which means 'first thing seen on the day of Vishu after waking up'. It is a belief that the fortunes for the year depend upon the nature of the objects one sees upon waking on Vishu. Hence, a carefully arranged array of auspicious items like gold, fresh fruits, vegetables, yellow flowers, rice, and a special lighted bell metal lamp called 'nilavilakku' is prepared the night before. The 'Vishukkani' is first seen by the lady of the house, who then guides the other members to view it with their eyes closed.
Another important aspect of Vishu is the 'Vishu Sadya', a grand and delicious feast prepared on this day. A typical Vishu Sadya can have as many as 26 different items, including traditional vegetarian dishes. 'Vishu Katta', a special delicacy made of newly harvested rice powder and coconut milk served with jaggery syrup, is a must in the Vishu Sadya.
Vishu is a day of joy and sharing. It is customary to give money, known as Vishukaineetam, to younger family members by elders, symbolizing wealth and sharing. In many ways, the festival of Vishu brings out the best in us by teaching us about the importance of gratitude, sharing, and celebrating life's simple pleasures.