We celebrated ‘VISHU’ festival, today....!

 

Today, April 14, 2013, ‘VISHU Sankranti’ (Sauraman Ugadi), is the beginning of New Year for those of us originally belonged to Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts in Karnataka State. Prior to linguistic reorganization of the Indian states, these two districts were in the administrative domain of Madras Presidency and shared most of traditions and cultures of north Malabar in Kerala.  Today, entire Kerala State and all temples therein celebrated Vishu festival in a very auspicious and grand manner.

We got up early morning today, we washed the whole house, took bath and kept ’Vishukkani’, meaning – decoratively arranged home-grown fresh vegetables (tendli, chillies, etc.), fruits (mango, pomegranate, banana and jamun), coconut and flowers (hibiscus, jasmine, etc. ) and a few coins on a silk shawl-laden wooden plank in the puja room. Lighted lamps were kept on either side of the vishukkani. Vishukkani is the first sight to be seen and reciting a few verses of Ramayan is said to be very auspicious on this day. We worshiped our family deities, did arathi and then took breakfast. Adding to the festivity, we will have 'payasam' and ripened mango ‘rasayan’ for lunch. On this day, we wish that coming days will be very delightful to everyone. Indeed, traditional festivals and cultures add lot of values to our life.

On this happy occasion, we wish everyone good luck, happiness and prosperity.

D. Jayaram Bhat