Vishu | |
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![]() A traditional Vishu kani setting with auspicious items. | |
Official name | Vishu |
Observed by | Malayali People |
Type | cultural, seasonal |
Significance | Malayali New Year (traditional) |
Observances | Kani, Kaineetam, Kanji, Kani konna, Padakkam (firecrackers) |
Begins | 4:00am Brahmamuhurtha |
Ends | end of the day |
Date | First day of the month of medam (Aries) in the Malayalam calendar |
2024 date | Sun, 14 April |
Related to | South and Southeast Asian solar New Year |
Vishu (Malayalam: വിഷു) is a Hindu festival[1] celebrating the Malayali[2] New Year[3][4] in Kerala, Tulu Nadu, and Mahe of India.[5] Vishu falls on the first day of the month of Medam in the Malayalam Calendar[6] (April 14 or 15 in the Gregorian calendar).[7] It is the traditional new year, while the Kollam era calendar new year falls on the 1st Chingham.[8]
Vishu falls either on the same day or near April 14/15 as other new years in parts of India where the sun's path is followed, such as in states like Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Bengal, Northeast India, Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand, and Jammu. Additionally, the Songkran festival of South East Asia also falls on the Vishu date, with the significance of the Kanikonna as part of Laos new year same like of Vishu celebrations in Kerala.The Sinhalese New Year in Sri Lanka also coincides with the Vishu date, sharing similar traditions such as the Vishu Kani, flower blossoms, traditional foods, and fireworks[9][10]
The festival is marked by family time, preparing colourful auspicious items and viewing these as the first thing on the Vishu day (Vishukkani). In particular, Malayalis seek to view the golden blossoms of the Indian laburnum (Kani Konna), money or silver items, cloth (pattu), mirror, rice, coconut, cucumber, fruits and other harvest products.[6][11][12] Days before Vishu, people start bursting fireworks at their houses and it concludes with lot of fireworks on day of Vishu.[6][13] People wear new clothes (Kodi) and they eat a feast called Sadhya.[12] In Kaineettam, elders give a small amount of pocket money to children.
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