Festivals have always been special to us, it is that time when the whole family and the extended family gets together to celebrate – the spirit of the family as well as the spirit of the festival.
On a typical Kerala festival like the Vishu, the day starts quite early. The lady of the house begins the day by lighting the oil lamps of the Vishukkani, which is the most important part of the festival. Vishu, in Sanskrit means Equal, Vishukkani means the first sight on the day of Vishu, Kani being sight.
At home, our grandmother wakes up and lights the lamp, offers prayers to the Lord Guruvayurappan, an incarnation of Lord MahaVishnu and then proceeds to wake each member of the family, one by one, ensuring that they do not open their eyes until they are in front of the Kani. And then you open your eyes, and what a sight that is. The bright golden light from the nilavilakku (bell lamp) falls on the auspicious articles that are arranged.
There would be the idol of the Lord, many seasonal vegetables a fruits, some gold, silver and copper, the traditional aranmula kannadi (a handmade metal-alloy mirror, made in Aranmula, a village in the state of Kerala. The combination of metals to making this mirror is a secret and is maintained as a family secret), the golden konna flowers (Cassia fistula), a holy text, a few coins and currency notes, grains of rice and other basic pulses are some of the things that go about in making this visual treat. How much ever I explain, it is a sight worth seeing, then you will realize no matter how many times you read about it, is insufficient. The golden yellow hue just attacks your eyes as soon as you open them, you are made to sit and examine each and every article that is arranged. This is said to symbolize prosperity.
After this visual treat comes the kaineettam, the elders in the house give gifts of money to the children, and children are then off to burst crackers and other fireworks. You have to imagine all this happens in the wee hours of the morning, around 4.00 am. We then take our baths and visit the kudumba kshetram, the family temple.
The next highlight of the day would be the sadya, the traditional feast of rice and around 21 side dishes served on a plantain leaf, followed by the yummy payasam, a dish cooked typically in milk with rice or broken wheat and sugar.
And that, is how we celebrate 🙂
Linking this to The Writer’s Post Thursday Blog Hop hosted by Susan and to the UBC.
A very vivid description of the celebration. Glad to be a part of the celebrations through your words. The sadya looks so very tempting.
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That was so beautiful Shilpa to share with us this auspicious celebration. Very lovely and thank you.
I’ve always been marveled by how the sadya even looks. It tastes yumm, that is a given but the colours… phew … that in itself is amazing!
You created a beautiful visual of the celebration. Thank you for introducing it to those of us who know nothing of it.
I am glad I could be the means to you knowing about Vishu 🙂
Celeberations of festivals is so divine. The pooja photo sends positive vibes and the sadya looks so appetising. Lovely post.
Thank you Kalpana. I love that pic too 🙂
how utterly fabulous. Is Vishu like Diwali?
I love the idea of being woken up to this celestial sight. And the feast….
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Vishu is basically New Year celebration, and in terms of all the noise & atmospheric pollution we cause, yes it is a lot like Diwali.
I’m so glad you put photos as well. Even though your descriptions are superb. Thanks for bringing the spirit of the festival to your readers.
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I am glad I could do that DD 🙂
beautiful visual of the celebration.
Thank you Sanjay
Thanks for sharing this lovely tradition with us. Beautiful!
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Thank you!
Thank you Michelle!!
That’s a very nice description… I love payasam too, a perfect conclusion to the feast 🙂
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Yes it is Kajal.. thank you 🙂
how i miss the sadya here.. 🙁 .. I manage to make most of the things but sometimes i don’t get all the vegetables :(.. but your post really made me drool 😀 😀
The idea makes me feel sparkly.
Is it now??? (I thought it was earlier in the calendar year . . . )
Did you get to celebrate at home like this?
How wonderful!!!
Thanks.
Love & Love,
-g-
Mission accomplished!
It can be difficult to get the local veggies over there I suppose…
I loved reading your very descriptive post about days of celebration! Even though there are elements that are different than mine, they still embody the same elements…love, family, worship, and lots of amazing food. Awesome!!
Kathy
http://gigglingtruckerswife.blogspot.com
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Family, fun and food are the integral part of having a celebration anywhere in the world I guess 🙂
wow! beautiful explanation!!
Vishu Sadya is one of the yummiest ever! 😀
Now, I can’t take my mind off all that food!! 🙂
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LOL 😀 Food seems to be the highlight of our lives these days 😉
this is quite a grand festival. 21 dishes! and all are made indoors i mean by the women of the house? :O must be a lot of work also 😀
Thanks for sharing with us the festival, I remember reading another kerala festival in UBC 🙂
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Oh it definitely would be a lot of work. Since the whole family comes together for the festival, cooking is a whole new festival in itself! 🙂
wow! the sadya looks yummy! and your post is enriching too! pardon my ignorance, i did not know of this festival, but thanks to you, i know now 🙂 thanks for the read!
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India is a big country with so many amazing cultures and festivals. I would be surprised if anyone knew all the festivals we celebrate over here 🙂
I love Vishu Sadhyas and all the beautiful chadang done suring the day.. I have heard it from my friends and currently looking forward to Onam 😀