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Sunday, May 4 2025
VISHU
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Date of Vishu in 2025: April 14 |
Significance:
Vishu is one of the important festivals of Kerala. It
comes in the month of April usually on the 14th. According
to the traditional Malayalam calendar, it is the 1st
day of Malayalam month Medam which is the astronomical
New Year. Traditional rituals are followed to bring
in another year of prosperity.
“The inner significance of Vishu is to cultivate
sacredness. It does not end with preparing Payasam (pudding)
and partaking of it. Sanctifying our hearts is true
pudding. The celebration of Vishu is only in a true
spirit is when we make an effort to purify our hearts.”
-Sri Sathya Sai Baba, Sanathana Sarathi, May 1999,
Page 136
Story
about the festival:
It is widely believed that one's good fortune during
the year would depend on his seeing something good on
Vishu morning. The heart of the festival is the preparation
of the vishu-kani (the lucky sight or gift).
Swami's message on Ramanavami:
"This New Year’s Day underlines the importance
and sacredness of time, which should be utilized for
unselfish and divine pursuits."
-Sri Sathya Sai Baba, Sanathana Sarathi, May 1994,
Pages 127-128
"With each festival one should cultivate divine
feelings. When you contemplate on God with all sincerity
and devotion, you become God yourself. This is what
The Vedanta says : ‘Brahmavid Brahmaiva Bhavati’
(the knower of Brahman becomes Brahman himself). You
will become what you think.”
-Sri Sathya Sai Baba, Sanathana Sarathi, May 1999,
Page 134
How is the Festival celebrated:
'Kani-Kanal' is the main event of the day. The night
before Vishu, the homemaker of the house prepares the
Kani. In a big pot, coconuts, a gold ornament, a new
cloth, fruits, cereals and the Konna flower is kept.
Behind the pot a mirror and the garlanded deity of Krishna
is kept. Around the deity, lighted lamps will be arranged.
Early morning on the Vishu day, the master of the house
sees the Kani and then the rest of the family follows.
Children are brought blind folded from their beds to
where the Kani is kept. The elders in the family give
money to the youngsters (Vishu kaineetam) and bless
them. It is believed that the Kani we see and its good
tidings will stay with you till the year ends.
In Kerala, the Kani in the temples of Guruvayur, Ambalapuzha
and Sabarimala are famous. Special pujas are held in
these temples where the people go to worship and pray
for a prosperous New Year.
The families then celebrate the day with joyous abandon
by bursting fire crackers. The feast or the 'sadya'
is prepared by the women of the household and the whole
family sits down to enjoy the vishu lunch together.
Jai Sai Ram
Bro Vicknesh
SSEHV Group 4
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