Vishu, the festival to mark the new year for the state of Kerala, and Karnataka

Vishu, which is also referred to as “Bisu sankramana”, is the new year that is celebrated by the state of Kerala, and in Tulunadu region and Kodagu in Karnataka. The festival usually follows the solar calendar, which means that it comes in the first day of the month, Medam, so Vishu is usually celebrated in between the month of April, for example, on April 14 or 15. Since the meaning of Vishu signifies “equal” and this is meant as a way to represent the complete formation of spring equinox. Vishu is celebrated with relatively less festivities and lack of the gaudy embellishments that are common in Hindu festivals.

People celebrate Vishu by performing different practices, like Vishukkani, which is set up in a thalli, with items like rice, golden lemon, golden cucumber, jack fruit, kajal, betel leaves, and others, with a photograph of the lord Vishnu. The tradition continues, as the elders of the family, or the mother, wakes up at dawn, prepares the Vishukkani, goes to the members of her family, blindfolds them, and then takes them before the thalli, after which she removes the cloth over their eyes so that the first sight of their day is Lord Vishnu.

Vishnu Sadhya is an integral part of the Vishu festival, as Vishu Kanji, Thoran and Vishu katta are prepared for the family members. The Kanji is prepared from rice, coconut milk and spices. Vishu katta a dish that is made from freshly cut rice powder and coconut milk served with jaggery.