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Friday, Mar 29 2024  

VISHU
 

 

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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