Vishu Traditions You Should Know: From Kani to Kaineettam

Vishu is often regarded as the beginning of a new year in Keralam, and celebrated with the produces of the latest harvest to mark the day. It follows the solar calendar, when the Sun enters the zodiac sign of Aries, known as Mesha Sankranti. While Chingam 1 which comes around in August, is the official Malayalam Calendar (Kollavarsham) New Year, Vishu , which comes around either on April 14 or 15, is traditionally celebrated as the astrological/agricultural new year.

While Keralam calls it Vishu, it is known as Puthandu in Tamil Nadu, celebrated on the same day to mark their New Year as well. Punjab too, celebrates Baisakhi on April 14, and Odisha celebrates Pana Sankranti. This year, West Bengal will celebrate its Poila Boisakh on April 15th, along with Assam’s Bohag Bihu.

Across these celebrations, notions of harvest, prosperity and new beginnings are commemorated. The golden yellow kani konna is the most coveted object in the celebration, also known as the Golden Shower Tree (Indian Laburnum/Cassia Fistula), denoting a prosperous new year. It takes center stage in preparing the Vishukkani, the elaborate curation of auspicious items such as rice, fruits, vegetables, flowers, gold,mirrors etc., most often kept along with an idol of Lord Krishna. Vishukkani, which means that which is seen first on Vishu, is believed to decide how the new year will go for malayalis, so many are strict to make sure the first sight in the morning is of a curated arrangement denoting prosperity.

Many other rituals and celebrations follow, including Vishu Sadya(feast), Vishukkodi (new clothes), and Vishukkaineettam, the token amount of money elders gift younger ones. It is gifted in amounts such as Rs 11, Rs 21, Rs 51, 101, etc indicating growth. Particularly among Malayali diaspora, Vishukkaineettam is one custom that shortens the distance between them and their kin back home, sent along with Vishu messages first thing on the day of celebration.