inerorer: VISHU AASHAMSAKAL

vishu kani-ponkani

kani kanum neram kamala nethrente..................,''kalabham tharam, bhagavanente manassum tharam...........''..vishu is on tuesday,fourteenth april. vishu falls on medam first.on this day,the sun is moving to MASHA RAASHI.any celebration arouses the terrific feeling of missing our dear ones,our hometown,the traditions and rituals in the minds of a pravasi.

the main attraction of vishu is vishukani.

the decorated idol of KANNAN wearing gold chain alongwith kani vellarikka,konna poovu,chakka,manga,the half coconuts,silver coins,valkannadi,the grantham,unakkallari,ashta mangalya set and the lighted lamps...................what more can we ask than this amazing sight in the early hours of the new year?the whole forthcoming year will be wonderful and prosperous!
now, we keep all fruits in the brass uruli, available in the market like apples,pine apple,orange and grapes.but the main attraction is KANNANUNNI.we decorate krishnan with palakka mala or pavan mala.we never become satisfied till the last decoration is done.

the previous night amma keeps the vishu kani.the most memorable vishu kani was the one prepared by my little star at chandraprabha.she had taken pains to make the decorations beautiful with small kasavu mundu spread as the background .krishna was garlanded with fresh mullapoov mala. we have taken the photographs. early in the morning amma wakes us and bring us to the pooja room,with our eyes closed.with little water kept in the small brass kindi,we wash our eyes and sees the most beautiful sight of smiling krishna in the light of ezhu thiriyitta vilakku and the fruits and silver coins.

my little star and maza want to carry the traditions on....................

in our ancestoral tharavadu,the kani was shown to the cows and the oxen in the sheds.we had two big sheds with so many cows and oxen.

we,the children were eager to light the crackers,lathiri and poothiri.i love meshappovu.i like to see it going up.in achan's house we used to light the malapadakkam.thala chakram is also very exciting.it goes round and round and we used to run after lighting it.

after having a bath in tharavattu kulam we wear the new dresses.after the prayers,we were eager to get our vishukkai neetam.then we go to guruvayoor temple to have the darshan of unnikannan.so many devotees sleep in the temple blindfolded to have the ponkani of kannanunni.we believe,the forthcoming year will be auspicious and prosperous by the darshan of KANNAN.

the natural gifts are,konna poov,vellarikka,chakka,manga,coconuts and other numerous fruits.the day and night are of the same length on this day.it's the spring time.all are ready to welcome the changes in nature.it's the season to celebrate.i remember our kizhakke padam completely filled with vellarikka.the swarna vellarikkas are later tied to the kazhukkol of the roof.they remain fresh for many months.

thirumeni prepares the tasty palpayasam.it's really special.

mampazha prathaman or chakka prathaman complete the vishu sadya.

non keralites enjoy our meal.but vishu is a family get together following the traditions and rituals.we invite our local guests for onam.

a grand sadya awaits us at noon.mampuzha kootan,mangakkari,and chakka ellissery are a must. a nalu kari sadya is so delicious served on plantain leaves.

after keeping the vishu kani at the temple,shankar comes home late at night and does the vishu kani in our flat.he does it so well.on vishu day,kishen and my little star do the pooja to krishnan.they love the traditions and culture.
thirumeni gives one rupee silver coin to the devotees.
we put up the vishu bhalam on the notice board of SHRI AYYAPPA TEMPLE.after the prayers,little star always wants us to read the vishu bhalam louder.her star is revathi.i swallow the bad points and she always catches me on the spot.she is so much interested in jyothisham and vara bhalam.shankar gives us vishukkai neetam.

for the first time,the konna maram is bloomed at AYYAPPA TEMPLE.we could keep a few flowers for vishu kani this time.

In shankar's village,vishu vela is popular in THANIKKUDAM DEVI TEMPLE.kuthira kali,kala kettu and vela bring the joyous atmosphere.
i miss the temples in kerala where we have an aal thara,ambalakulam,aana and the village cool breeze.that's a total different experience.i want to be there in my village,kaveedu,at chandra prabha with amma and my family.otherwise any celebration is incomplete.i miss the vishukkai neetam given by amma n achan.

sabarimala and guruvayoor,preparations are over for vishukani.there will be too much rush of devotees.at guruvayoor,kanidarshanam is from 2.30a.m-3.30a.m while at sabarimala it's from 4a.m-7a.m.vishu vilakku is lit in pure ghee at guruvayoor tomorrow.the gold thidambu of kannanunniwill be placed in the mukha mandapam and the ponkani will be kept in the brass uruli.

children eagerly wait for vishu as this is the time to collect maximum pocket money in the form of vishukkai neetam.

the spirit of life is lifted due to the celebrations and get togethers.vishu adds colours to our attitudes,hopes and aspirations.

today tamalians,bengalis,assamese also celebrate their new year.

on this auspicious day,i extent my warm heart felt vishu aashmsakal to all of you!

can you hear the vishupakshi singing,

''vithum kaikottum,''
''chakkakkuppundo'',achan kombathu,amma varambathu''.

vishu is the beginning of new life;farmers start their ploughing and sowing in the fields.

we travel into the world of light and prosperity!

it's anu signing off....................

i feel like singing,
''amma mazha karinu kan niranju........................''pick up the phone and dial your dear ones' number and share the joy of the day.we need their blessings and good will.nothing else can replace that bond.