Puthandu and Vishu wishes – Usher in the flower of happiness

January 1^st of every year is indeed special to celebrate. Being in a multicultural nation, we have numerous new years celebrated across various regions besides January 1^st, 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 14^th Of April this year while Malayalam New Year Vishu that falls on the first day of the Malayalam month of Medam is on 15^th 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 !!!