Today is Vishu, the Malayalam New Year. It usually falls on 14th April. It is also celebrated as a Harvest festival, welcoming spring, starting new agriculture related works. Farmers start this year’s activities on Vishu day. Probably, that could be the reason why even the commercial establishments and other businesses consider this day as a new beginning.

We started off the day with Vishukani. The elder members of the family arrange the vishukani the previous night. It is a puja arrangement or an offering in a big vessel called uruli. Raw rice, silk cloth, golden cucumber, betel leaves, arecanut, small bananas, mango, jack fruit, grapes, the konna flowers (Cassia fistula), gold ornaments, gold and  silver coins, are arranged in the uruli. A lighted bell metal lamp called nilavilakku is also placed.

We woke up at dawn and go to the puja room with the eyes closed so that the Vishukkani is the first sight of the new season, new year. And pray for yearlong prosperity and happiness. Elders give Vishukaineettom (gifting of money) to children and other younger members and workers. Children and adults then make merry bursting crackers. We wear new clothes, visit neighbouring temples and gift each other money and/or new clothes(vishukodi).

Mom prepares vishukanji (rice gruel with grated coconut) and dry green peas curry for breakfast. For lunch, it will be a vegetarian feast accompanied by payasam (kheer).