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Keralites celebrate Vishu with fanfare

The festival which also marks the harvest season was celebrated across the state with traditional rituals and grand feast, hoping for a year of peace and prosperity.

Trivandrum — Keralites on Wednesday celebrated ‘Vishu’, ushering the New Year according to the Malayalam calendar, with much fanfare and vigour.

The festival which also marks the harvest season was celebrated across the state with traditional rituals and grand feast, hoping for a year of peace and prosperity. Children ushered in the New Year by bursting crackers.

A major highlight of the festival was ‘Vishukkani’ (the first ceremonial sight on the day of Vishu) and ‘Vishukaineettam’ (gift of money given to children by elder members of the family). People, especially Hindus, woke up in the wee hours to see “Vishukkani,” which consists mostly of auspicious articles like rice, fruits, gold and flowers tastefully arranged in brass vessels. Heavy rush of devotees, dressed in their best attire, was witnessed in major temples, including the Sree Krishna temple at Guruvayur and Lord Sastha temple at Sabarimala, where elaborate arrangements were made for devotees to see the Vishukani. The kani was arranged at Guruvayoor 2.15 am.

Vishu is celebrated on the first day of Malayalam month Medam, which usually falls on April 14.

According to Malayalam calendar Vishu fell on April 15. The day was also celebrated as New Year by people in Assam, Punjab, Tamil Nadu and Odisha.

Kerala Governor Justice P. Sathasivam and Chief Minister Oommen Chandy greeted people on the festive occasion. Prime Minister Narendra Modi delighted the people by extending his greeting in their mother tongue of Malayalam.

news@khaleejtimes.com