Vishukanni

Vishu  is a Hindu festival celebrated in the Indian state of Kerala. My childhood flashed before me when we started the preparation for this years Vishu. The roles were reversed - I was  no longer the kid who was awaken from sleep at dawn by his parents :( 


Childhood is such a funny phase - some memories are as fresh as this morning. It was with glee and excitement I looked forward to Vishu every year. Sole reasons being the Vishu Kaineettam and Vishu Sadhya. It is a gift of money given to children by the elder members of the family - something which I would await for a whole year. The Malayalam word kani literally means "that which is seen first", so "Vishukkani" means "that which is seen first on Vishu".

The Vishukkani consists of a ritual arrangement of auspicious articles like raw rice, fresh lemon, golden cucumber, arecanut, metal mirror, yellow flowers konna (Cassia fistula),fruits,vegetables and a holy text and currency and coins, in a bell metal vessel called uruli in the puja room of the house.

On Vishu, the custom is to wake up at dawn and go to the puja room with eyes closed so that the Vishukkani is the first sight of the new season. An auspicious kani (first sight) at dawn on the Vishu day is lucky for the entire year.And it is such a beautiful sight that greets your eyes.