VISHU...........
Vishu is considered as the astrological new year of Kerala...
The important functions carried out during vishi is:
The most important event in Vishu is the Vishukkani, which literally " the first to be seen on the Vishu day". The Vishukkani consist of a ritual arrangement of auspicious articles like raw rice, fresh lemon, golden cucumber, betel leaves, arecanut, metal mirror, the yellow flowers konna and a holy text and coins, in a bell metal vessel called uruli in the puja room of the House. A lighted nilavilakku is also placed alongside. This arrangement is completed the previous night. On the day of Vishu, the custom is to wake up at dawn and go to the puja room with the eyes closed so that the Vishukkani is the first sight of the new season. Since the occasion marks the beginning of Malayalam New Year, it is also considered auspicious to read verses from Hindu Holy book Ramayanam after seeing the "Vishukkani". It is also believed that the page of the Ramayanam to which you open up will have a bearing on your life in the coming year.
Vishu kaineetam::
Children wait eagerly for this ritual. The elders of the family starting with the grand father or father give away Kaineetam to the younger ones. The Kaineetam consists of coins with Konna flowers, rice and the gold from the Uruli. The gold and the rice are returned to the Uruli and touch the eyes with flower. Earlier days, it was a custom to give Kaineetam to all the people associated with the house such as servants, field workers and land-tenants. The principle is the symbolic sharing of the prosperity and wishing happiness for all.
Fireworks...the most imporatant part of vishu...children and elders Njoy vishu by bursting crakerss.....We too njoyed.One padam burst from my hand itslf...but with gods grace nothing
happend....By cousins and all will take their crackers 2 our home and we 2gether burst out all the padakkams...hehehe...really njoyed....