Vishu is a regional Hindu festival celebrated in Kerala. It heralds the beginning of the astrological New Year and the arrival of spring in Kerala. Vishu is also celebrated as a harvest festival for the people of Kerala coinciding with the time of the year when the indigenous crops are ready for harvest.

Vishu is celebrated on the first day of the month Medam in the traditional solar calendar followed in Kerala. Medam 1st is the day on which the Sun re-enters the Medam or Mesa Rasi (Aries) and starts the next cycle. In the Gregorian calendar, the date coincides with April 14 or 15. It is believed that the celebration of this festival started in the year 844 AD. The term Vishu was derived from the Sanskrit-Malayalam word Viṣuvam which means ‘equal’. The celebration of this festival is also related to the spring or vernal equinox on which day and night are equal.

Being the new year, Vishu predictions are immensely popular among the people of Kerala. Clickastro Vishu predictions for the different Zodiac signs are as follows:

Vishu predictions

Aries:

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There may be problems at work. In all other fields, good fortune may prevail. There may be a big improvement in financial matters

Taurus:

Good fortune will prevail at work and in finance. Father’s health may come down. Projects previously withheld may start rolling again.

Gemini:

Financial gains are likely. Job opportunities may come from foreign countries. Overall, the coming year will bring positive results.

Cancer:

Expect support from colleagues and superiors at work. There may be a promotion, salary hike or transfer to a preferred place.

Leo:

Happiness and good health will return to life. Friends and relatives will support you. There will be a rise in social status. A job abroad is possible.

Virgo:

Work-related travel will bring benefits. Punctuality will improve. Financial gains can be expected. There may be disease to the eye.

Libra:

Expect mixed results. There may be a job transfer. Your reputation in your field of work will improve. Good time to start new businesses.

Scorpio:

Avoid travel. Enemies will be defeated. There will be financial gains. Life will be happy and prosperous. There will be relief from diseases.

Sagittarius:

There will be unexpected changes. Some of it may be harsh. Success will follow you everywhere. Peace and happiness will reign.

Capricorn:

Family will support you in every venture. There will be gains in the share market. Good time to start a business or renovate a house.

Aquarius:

Good fortune will come to you. There will be many life changes. Expect a salary hike. Allergy and lung-related discomforts are likely.

Pisces:

Karma will catch up. There may be physical discomforts. It can get serious. Though finances remain strong, you may not be able to enjoy it.

Read Vishuphalam in Malayalam

Vishu Celebrations

Vishu is a festival symbolising agricultural prosperity and fresh hopes for the New Year. The celebration of Vishu is unique following traditional rituals and observations. These include arranging the Vishukkani, offering VishuKaineettam, having VishuSadya, and other enjoyments such as lighting the fireworks. Generally, Lord Krishna is worshipped on this day.

Vishukkani is a display of auspicious items along with freshly harvested rice, vegetables and fruits in front of an idol or picture of Lord Krishna. People arrange Vishukkani at home and in temples and view this auspicious arrangement at dawn on Vishu day.

VishuKaineettam is the tradition of the family’s elder members giving money to the younger generations and servants. VishuSadya is the traditional Kerala feast (Sadya) with some special Vishu preparations.

The famous temples such as Guruvayur Sree Krishna temple, Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple, Sabarimala Ayyappan temple, and Kulathupuzha Sree Bala Sastha temple in Kerala celebrate Vishu with great aplomb. Devotees throng the temples in the early hours of the day to witness the Vishukkani Kazhcha and view the Vishukkani or the auspicious arrangements made at the temple along with the worship of the deities. Devotees also offer special pujas to Lord Krishna on this day.

Read about Akshaya Trititya

When is Vishu 2023?

Vishu 2023 is on Saturday, April 15.

The important timings of the day are as follows:

Vishu 2023 Timings:

  • Sankranti Time: 3:03 PM, April 14, 2023
  • Sunrise: 6:18 AM, April 15, 2023
  • Sunset: 6:31 PM, April 15, 2023

What is the significance of Vishu?

Agricultural Significance of Vishu:

Vishu coincides with that time of the year when the indigenous crops are ready for harvest. It marks the movement of the Sun to Aries or the Mesha Rashi, which the farmers consider the right time to begin ploughing the land. Vishu, thus, celebrates agricultural affluence. The most important Vishu custom of Vishukkani is the display of freshly harvested agricultural products, including mangoes, jackfruit, cucumbers etc., along with other auspicious materials.

According to the traditional Kerala Calendar, Vishu is observed on Medam 1st and the Pathamudhayam occurs on Medam 10th. Pathamudhayam is an important day for farmers who consider it the ideal time for sowing seeds. It is the tenth day of the month Medam, and the term Pathamudhayam means ‘tenth sunrise’. Traditionally, this day is celebrated by selling and exchanging agricultural products. To symbolize the ten sunrises starting from Vishu, traditional oil lamps with ten wicks are lit in houses on this day.

Astrological Significance of Vishu

Vishu is an astrologically important occasion. Though the official Malayalam New Year is the first day of the month Chingam, it doesn’t have any astrological significance. As per the Indian astrological calculations, it is Vishu that marks the astrological New Year of Kerala. It signifies the Sun’s transit into the first rasi Medam or Aries. It was also associated with the spring or vernal equinox in the past, the occasion on which day and night have equal durations. The Sun entering into Medam or Aries was used as a way of observing the equinox. Even the term Vishu was coined from ‘Visuvam’ meaning equal day and night. Gradually, due to the wobble of the earth, the vernal equinox got shifted to 24 days before the Vishu, on the 7th day of the month Meenam.

Pathamudhayam, which follows Vishu, is observed on the 10th day of Medam month. Astrologically, the Sun will be at ten degrees in the sign of Medam or Aries on this day. The traditional belief is that the Sun is most powerful on this day, and astrology supports this notion.

Mythological Significance of Vishu:

There are a few mythological tales associated with the celebration of Vishu. One such story is that Lord Krishna killed the demon Narakasura on this day. This is one reason for worshipping Lord Krishna on Vishu day.

Another mythological tale is associated with Surya Dev (Sun God) and the demon king Ravana. Once, Ravana prevented Surya Dev from rising from the east and it was only after the defeat of Ravana, that Surya Dev could resume rising from the east. Hence, the belief is that Vishu commemorates the return of Surya Dev.

What is Vishukkani?

Vishukkani is the most important ritual of Vishu. The Malayalam word ’Kani’ implies ‘one that is seen first’. So, Vishukkani refers to the first sight at dawn on Vishu. It is believed that one’s future is a function of what one sees or experiences at the beginning. If one begins a day or a year viewing virtuous or auspicious things, then the whole day or year would be prosperous and lucky. Since Vishu marks the beginning of the New Year, it is customary to view the auspicious Vishukkani before sunrise on Vishu.

Vishukkani is a grand display of auspicious items arranged to be viewed as the first sight on the day of Vishu. It includes fresh harvest of agricultural products such as rice, mangoes, jackfruit, coconut, lemon, bananas, areca nut, cucumbers, etc., betel leaves, gold, currency notes or coins, silk cloth, a mirror, a holy Hindu text, and the golden yellow KaniKonna flowers or the golden shower flower (Indian laburnum). Vishukkani is an important feature of Vishu and is arranged in every household by the elderly womenfolk.

The fruits are set in an Uruli, an open-mouthed shallow circular vessel made out of ball metal or brass. All the items described above, along with a Nilavilakku (the traditional bell-shaped oil lamp) are arranged in front of an idol or picture of Lord Krishna. The Vishukkaniis are considered to be incomplete without a bunch of KaniKonna flowers or Konnappoo as it is locally known. These are bright yellow flowers, which usually bloom at the time of Vishu.

Vishukkani is arranged in the evening before Vishu. On Vishupulari (the dawn of Vishu day), the elderly lady of the home would wake up early and light the Nilavilakku arranged in the Vishukkani. Then, the other members of the house are woken up by the lady and guided to the place where the Vishukkani is set, with closed eyes. The family members would only open their eyes in front of the Vishukkani to view it as the first sight of the New Year.

The grand visual of Vishukkani with lit-up Nilavilakku in front of the image of Lord Krishna is believed to bring good luck, fortune and prosperity for the entire year. This custom is called Kanikaanal (viewing the Kani). The mirror arranged in Vishukani is symbolic of viewing oneself as a part of the abundance one sees or experiences.

Some of the households also read the verses from Ramayana or Bhagavad Gita after viewing the Vishukkani. It is also believed that the page which is opened would have some relation to the person’s life in the coming year.

Vishu Sadhya

Sadhya is the traditional Kerala meal served on special occasions. Keralites prepare Sadhya or the traditional feast on important occasions such as Onam, Vishu, etc. Apart from the usual dishes for Sadhya, special items are also prepared on Vishu using the harvested jackfruits, mangoes, pumpkins, and other seasonal vegetables and fruits. Vishu Kanji (Vishu porridge) and Thoran, VishuKatta, Veppampoorasam, Mampazhapulissery, Mampazhapachadi, Chakkaerissery, Vishupuzhukku, etc. are some of such special dishes prepared on Vishu.

VISHU SADYA

Vishu Kanji is a preparation using rice, coconut milk, and spices. There are some mandatory ingredients for the side dish Thoran also. Vishu Katta is a delicacy prepared using freshly harvested rice powder and coconut milk served with jaggery. Veppampoorasam is a bitter preparation of neem and Mampazhappulissery is a kind of sweet and sour mango curry prepared in coconut and curd.

The preparations such as Mampazhapachadi, Chakkaerissery, Vishupuzukku etc. provide a mix of sweet, sour, salty and bitter tastes. Such traditional festive recipes combining different flavours are a symbolic reminder that one should expect all flavours of experiences in the coming New Year.

Other customs of Vishu

VishuKaineettam is another important tradition of elders gifting money to younger ones and dependents of the family. The other popular traditions include buying Puthukodi or new clothes, setting off fireworks, and arranging processions in which groups of people move from house to house and collect rewards for their performances.

Regional Variations of Vishu

Vishu marks the New Year in the traditional solar calendar. It is celebrated in Kerala, Tulu Nadu region in Karnataka, Mahe district of the Union Territory of Pondicherry, and some areas of Tamil Nadu. In the Tulu region, this festival is called Bisu. This same day is celebrated as New Year in other regions of India that follow the solar calendar. Thus, the people of Punjab and Haryana celebrate Baisakhi, Tamil Nadu celebrates Puthandu, Assam celebrates Bihu, West Bengal celebrates NabaBarsha and Orissa celebrates Pana Sankranti.

Vishu Festival dates from 2023 to 2026

Year Date Day
2023 15th April Saturday
2024 14th April Sunday
2025 14th April Monday
2026 15th April Wednesday
 

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