VISHU CELEBRATION IN KURAKAR GARDEN'S

VISHU CELEBRATION

IN KURAKAR GARDENS

        Vishu  is a new year Malayalam festival celebrated in the state of Kerala. Date of Vishu is generally 14^th April as per Gregorian Calender. Vishu festival is celebrated in almost all the places in india. Vishukkani is the most event of vishu festival. Too many dishes are made  on the vishu festival.Vishukkani, means” the first to see vishu”  Malayalees arranged articles like raw rice, fresh lemon, golden cucumber, betel leaves, arecanut,metal mirror, the yellow flowers of Konna and a holy text and coin   are in an uruli in the prayer room in the previous night. Nilavilallu is also lighted in the prayer room.

Kurakar Garden house

Kochumakkal with Appachan on vishu day

kurakar garden

  Vishu festival marks the onset of the harvest period  which signifies fertility,growth and prosperity. This festival basically practiced in Kerala and is marked on the medam moth first day. Children celebrates by bursting crackers. Elders give coin with flowers to younger members of the family. The traditional people of Kerala practice a lot of colorful rituals and customs on Vishu.  Most of these traditions are based on a belief that Vishu must be celebrated well as the good things of the first day of the New Year will continue for the rest of the year. Most important ritual of the day is called 'Kani Kanal', the literal translation of this is 'first sight'. In Kani Kanal there is a prescribed list of items, which a person must see first thing on a Vishu morning to bring good luck. This include a cadjan leaf book, gold ornaments, fresh white cloth, a measure of rice or paddy, flowers of the Konna tree (Cussia fistula), halved jack fruits, halved coconuts and yellow cucumber. All these things are kept in a big pot and behind this pot is kept the bell metal mirror and a garlanded deity of Lord Krishna. Two standing oil lamps are also placed before the deity.

       Preparations of Kani are done a night before by the lady of the house. Master of the house is the first person to Kani and then the other family members follow. Children are brought blind folded from their rooms to see Kani Kanal, the first thing in the morning. Vishu Kani is later distributed amongst the poor and needy people. Reason behind this ritual is the strong belief of the people that the fortune of the rest of the year depends on the first object they see on the Vishu day. There is also a tradition to give small amounts of cash to children of the family. This tradition is called Vishu Kaineetam. People believe that this custom will ensure prosperity for their children in future.

        A large number of people prefer to see Vishu Kani in temples. A huge rush of devotees can be seen in the temples of Guruvayur, Ambalapuzha and Sabarimala where special prayers are organised to mark the day. People stay overnight in the courtyards of these temples a night before Vishu so that they see Kani, first thing on Vishu in the temple. Devotees close their eyes and set their eyes on Kani and deity so that when the doors to the deity open at 2:30 am, the first thing they see is Kani. A grand sadya (feast) is prepared by women of the house and the whole family sits together at lunch to relish it. Dishes are usually prepared from jackfruits, mangoes, pumpkins, and gourds besides other vegetables and fruits, which are in plenty at that time of the season. People also wear kodi vastram (new clothes) on this day. Patassu (fire crackers) are burst in the midst of dancing and merry to mark the day.

     A group of young men and women dress up as 'chozhi' , wearing a skirt of dried banana leaves and masks on their faces and go from house to house in the village dancing and collecting small amounts of money. On Vishu, these entertainers get good rewards for their performances. The money is spent on the Vishuwela (the New Year Fair)

      Kurakar Family members celebrated” Vishu” at Karickom Kurakar Gardens with Appachan (P.G Mathew Kurakar) on 15^th April, 2011 ( Vishu Day). The family members received visu kaineettam(coins and yellow flowers from Appachan. The Grand children of  Appachan presented various arts programmes related vishu. There was also conducted cultural meeting. Prof. John Kurakar presided .  Mr. Jacob Kurakar, Mr Varghese Kurakar, Prof. Molly Kurakar,Dr. Nidhun Kurakar, Mr Vibin Kurakar, Mr Manu Kurakar were spoke on the occasion  May this vishu bring to you the Blessing of Well-being and Prosperity. kurakar family Wishing you a very Happy Vishu Kanikkonnayum kanivellariyum pon naanayavum kodimundum puthen kaalathinte samrudhiyaakatte  vishudinaashamsakal

Prof. John Kurakar