Malayalam festival
Vishu — വിഷു
viṣu
April 14 or 15 · first day of the month of Medam
Vishu is the Malayali astronomical new year. The first sight on waking is the Vishukkani — an arrangement of rice, fruit, gold, a mirror, a lit lamp and golden konna (Indian laburnum) flowers before an image of Krishna, prepared the night before so that the year begins with prosperity. Elders give children Vishukkaineettam, a gift of money.
Greetings in Malayalam
വിഷു ആശംസകൾ
viṣu āśaṁsakaḷ
"Happy Vishu!"
universal
Customs & traditions
- ✦Vishukkani — the auspicious first sight of the year
- ✦Vishukkaineettam — elders giving money to children
- ✦Bursting firecrackers (padakkam)
- ✦A Vishu sadya feast at lunch
Traditional foods
വിഷുക്കട്ട
viṣukkaṭṭa
Rice cooked in coconut milk, set into squares
മാമ്പഴ പുളിശ്ശേരി
māmpaḻa puḷiśśēri
Ripe-mango curry in spiced yogurt
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More Malayalam festivals
Onam in Malayalam
August–September · month of Chingam, culminating on the Thiruvonam star
Thrissur Pooram in Malayalam
April–May · the Pooram star in the month of Medam
Thiruvathira in Malayalam
December–January · the Thiruvathira star in the month of Dhanu
Vidyarambham in Malayalam
September–October · Vijayadashami, the end of Navaratri
Attukal Pongala in Malayalam
February–March · the Pooram star in the month of Kumbham
Makaravilakku in Malayalam
January 14–15 · Makara Sankranti, climax of the Sabarimala season