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| VISHU |
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| Celebrated in
:
Kerala |
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| Significance :
Beginning on a new calendar
year in Kerala |
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| Main Activity
:
Vishukkani & Vishu Kaineettam |
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| In the month
of :
April |
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Falls on the first day of
Malayalam month Medam (April), which is the astronomical New Year Day when the
sun crosses the equator.
Through Vishu is identified with the Hindus religious beliefs, it is not in any
way a religious festival. As per popular belief, the first thing people see on
Vishu, the 'Vishukkani', is decisive to the year's prosperity.
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| Thus the 'Vishukkani' has over
the years become a ritual arrangement of auspicious articles like raw rice,
fresh linen, golden cucumber, betel leaves, arecanut, metal mirror, the yellow
flowers 'konna' (cassia fistula), and a holy text and coins, in a bell metal
vessel called 'uruli'. A lighted bell metal lamp called nilavilakku is also
placed alongside.
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| As Vishu ushers in a New Year
dawn, people wake up to behold the ritualistic arrangement. Giving off handsel
(kaineettam) to the younger members of the family is part of the celebrations. |
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