January 1st of every year is indeed special
to celebrate. Being in a multicultural nation, we have numerous new years celebrated
across various regions besides January 1st, isn’t that overwhelming?
Alongside with Holi, Ugadi, Gudhi Padwa and several others we have a festive
occasion that equally marks the beginning of a new year with peace and
prosperity in Southern part of India especially Tamilnadu and Kerala. Yes, it’s
Puthandu and Vishu. Tamil New Year or
Puthandu celebrated on the first day of Tamil month Chitirai falls on 14th
Of April this year while Malayalam
New Year Vishu that falls on the first day of the Malayalam month of Medam is
on 15th of April.
In some families during Puthandu and Vishu there is a
tradition of arranging Vishu Kani. A
large vessel ‘Uruli’ is filled with
rice and arranged on with vegetables, fruits, coconut, lemon, money, jewels. A
mirror is placed against the Uruli alongside
an idol of lord Krishna. The family
members are taken blindfolded to the kani and then open their eyes to view the
Kani and its reflection in the mirror, in the light of the lamp burning aside
the kani. Celebrations are incomplete without dainty dishes consisting of
variety food spread, this is just the ‘Sadhya’
that is prepared during Puthandu and Vishu in households. A combination of
foods that are sweet, salty, sour, bitter are prepared, emphasising the
importance that life will be a mixture of pleasant, unpleasant incidents and
that one has to cross over these tides smoothly without losing hope towards
leading a happy life. The elders then gift the members with vishu kani mainly
in the form of money or a gift. Any New Year celebration is to eradicate the
darkness and bring in peace and prosperity in life. The Vishu Kani is a
symbolic representation of things and resources that the almighty has gifted
mankind. The significance to seeing Vishu kani in the morning hours of Vishu,
implies that one shall be showered with prosperity, because that one sees is
what one gets the entire year. Seeing the kani with the flower, vegetables,
fruits, jewels, clothes, grains and money will also mean that the year one
would have the blessings of the almighty to procure food, clothes, and other
basic needs without much difficulty. Such gestures practiced during the festive
occasion of Puthandu or Vishu is again to thank the Lord for all that he is
provided us to sustain life on this earth.
Having mentioned about the Lord, any worship would be
incomplete without an offering of flowers. The speciality of Vishu is the
offerings of Kani Konna flowers (Cassia fistula) to Lord. These golden
yellow flowers supposedly blossom between February to April and thus make them
available in plenty for the festive occasion. Observing the flower mythology in
ancient India, along with Kanni pookal,
Tulasi mala is also one another
special flower that is believed to be the favourite garlands among the devotees
that is offered in the lord’s worship.
As worship of the lord is incomplete without flowers,
likewise south Indian women are not considered fully groomed in the absence of
a jasmine string in their hair. Especially on the eve of Puthandu and Vishu
women do have a tradition to decorate their hair with jasmine strings. Then
these could be only Jasmine strings or Jasmine combine with other flowers or
even Tulasi, and of course rose flowers used for decorating the hair is an age
old tradition followed by women in most of the regions across India.
Decades ago there were provisions and facilities to
have own jasmine plantations at the backyard of one's house. Likewise Tulasi madam or an altar of Tulasi in
the courtyard of one's house was a must. These were used for occasions such as
these and also for other puja and festive rituals. With urbanisation and
increasing number of concrete apartments we hardly find people interested in
cultivating their own garden, and Tulsi madams are way beyond imagination to
have these days. Luckily there are many options available these days that still
make us possible to follow traditions without depriving our desire to offer
flowers to the lord. Why not reap benefits of such facilities to brighten your
homes with flowers on this festive occasion of Puthandu and Vishu? And Ladies,
why not make use of on line facilities from the comfort of your home to obtain
jasmine strings for your hair and make a pleasant atmosphere this Puthandu and
Vishu? With the fragrance and aroma of flowers this New Year let peace,
prosperity and happiness prevail in your homes.
Iniya Puthandu Vazthukal and Vishu Ashamsakal from Mallioo Group !!!
Iniya Puthandu Vazthukal and Vishu Ashamsakal from Mallioo Group !!!
