Vishu 2023: Date, Importance, Significance of Vishu Festival

Vishu 2023 Date in India: For the feast, a ‘sadhya’ is customarily prepared in every Malayali household

Vishu 2023 Date in India: Know all about the celebrations here (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Vishu 2023 Date in India: One of the most celebrated and popular spring festivals celebrated in southern India is Vishu or Vishu Kani, which marks new beginnings for Keralites. It is also celebrated by Malayali Hindus in the adjacent areas of Tamil Nadu. Vishu day marks the Sun’s transit to the Mesha Rashi as per the Indian Astrological calculations.

Vishu is not traditionally celebrated as New Year in the Malayalam Calendar, according to drikpanchag.com. In the Malayalam Calendar, the New Year starts on the first day of Chingam. However people in the Malabar area consider Vishu as the astrological New Year, it reads.

Mythology has it that Lord Krishna killed the demon Narakasura on this day and hence Vishu festival is celebrated to mark the victory. As such, it is celebrated by Malayalis in India and across the world with a lot of zeal and vigour.

This year, it will be celebrated on April 15, which is a Saturday.

People dress up in new attire and visit temples. They come together as a family to enjoy the day. As such, certain rituals are followed on the occasion.

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People wake up early in the morning and bathe. Then they sit down to pray. Then, a Vishu Kani is arranged, which comprises cucumber, rice, areca nuts, betel leaves, gold ornaments, new clothes, coins, mangoes, jackfruit, a metal mirror, and lemon, along with a lit metal lamp. Family members have to look at these things and see their reflection in the mirror before they begin their day.

For the feast, a ‘sadhya’ is customarily prepared in every Malayali household. The meal comprises rice, sambar, chips, pickle, aviyal, rasam, and different varieties of sweets and payasam. Veppampoorasam (a bitter preparation of neem) and Mampazhapachadi (a sour mango soup) are specialties.

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Another famous ritual on Vishu is the Vishukkaineetam. Vishukkaineetam means gifting money to children, servants, and tenants by elders of the family.

The day, just like other festivals, is meant to be grateful for what one has and to thank the almighty.

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Drikpanchang.com mentions that Sankranti Moment on Vishu Kani will be at 03:12 pm, April 14, 2023.

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