Kerala Government greets Malayalee’s on the occasion of Vishu.

Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar has greeted Malayalee’s all over the world on the occasion of Vishu, the harvest festival of the State. In a message, the honourable governor has said, “May the harvest festival of Vishu usher in a spell of abundance, contentment and togetherness and strengthen our resolve to protect Mother Nature whose resources sustain us. Vishu holds a special place in the hearts of Malayali people across India and the globe”, he added.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has greeted the people on the occasion of Vishu, the harvest festival of the State. “Vishu is a symbol of prosperity and abundance. It is a time of celebration when everyone comes together to share hopes and dreams for better and more prosperous days. This festive day also reminds us of the need to reclaim our rich agricultural culture. Our country is a cradle of diversity and pluralism. Our festivals, including Vishu, are celebrated together by people from all walks of life“, he said.

Senior Congress leader and former Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala also extended Vishu greetings to the Malayalee’s all over the world. Conveying heartiest greetings to the people on the joyous occasion of Vishu, he said Vishu is a reminder of our rich agricultural culture.

State BJP President Rajeev Chandrasekhar said Malayalee’s are unitedly participating in the Vishu celebrations to usher in a prosperous new day marking the dawn of a period of plenteousness.

Another BJP leader Kummanam Rajeskharan said, “The agrarian culture, that is disappearing, needs to be recaptured. May the message of Vishu this year give you the strength to do so“.

The Speaker of the Kerala Assembly Mr. AN Shamseer, Opposition leader VD Satheesan, CPI (M) State Secretary M.V. Govindan, KPCC President K. Sudhakaran, senior BJP leader O. Rajagopal, former union minister V. Muraleedharan also greeted people on the occasion,

Thousands of Devotees have thronged to the world famous Lord Ayyappa temple here on Monday to offer prayers and see ‘Vishukkani’ — first scene of Vishu Day — which is the most important event of the day in connection with this year’s Vishu festival, the beginning of the Malayalam New Year.

Rituals like Neyyabhishekam, Kalabhabhishekam and Padipooja are performed in the hill shrine on this day. Vishu,’ the beginning of Malayalam New Year, is being celebrated by Malayalee’s all over the world with traditional fervour and gaiety looking ahead to a year of plenty and prosperity. Lakhs of people thronged major temples across Kerala to offer prayers and see ‘Vishukkani. People woke up in the wee hours to see the auspicious ’Vishukkani’ as the ritual consists of arranging on platters auspicious articles like seasonal fruits, rice, coconut, jack fruit, vegetables, flower, gold, coins, clothes, golden cucumber and Konna (Cassia fistula blooming in the Vishu season) and clothes which together form the first sight of the people when they woke up on the Vishu day.

The traditional belief is that the new year will be better if one views auspicious joyful things as the first thing on Vishu. There is also a popular tradition of elders giving money to younger ones or dependents of the family. This is called ‘Vishu Kaineettam.’ Children greeted Vishu by bursting crackers. The Vishu new year day is celebrated elsewhere but called by other names. It is called Vaisakhi by Hindus and Sikhs in north and central India, which too marks the solar new year, and Tamil New Year day called Puthandu. Devotees thronged major temples across the State including Sree Padmanabha Temple, Aaranmula Parthasarathi Temple, Guruvayur Sree Krishna temple, Vaikkom Mahadeva temple, Thiruvanvandoor Goshala-Mahavishnu Temple, Kodungallur Devi temple, Malayalapuzha Devi temple Pattazhi Devi temple for ‘Vishukkani’ darshan.

In several temples, Devotees are being blessed by priests by giving them ‘Vishu Kaineettam’ during their ‘Darshan’ as part of Vishu festival.

Team Maverick