Vishu is the harvest festival of Kerala observed on the first day of the Medam month (April – May) of Malayalam Panchang. It is the first day in Malayalam calendar. Vishu 2010 date is April 15. This festival is also celebrated in Tulu Nadu region in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. In some places Vishu is known as Bisu. Vishu festival also marks the day of Mesha Sankranti or Mesha Sankraman during which Sun transits to the first zodiac – Mesha Rashi or Aries zodiac. Literally, Vishu means equal and signifies one of the equinox. Malayalam calendar is also known as Kollavarsham.
Vishu festival or the first day of Medam month is considered as the astrological New Year day whereas the official Malayalam New Year starts in Chingam month (August – September).
Vishu festival is the dawn of another new year and is regarded as the main harvest festival throughout Kerala. Observers worship their god, Vishukkani with various traditional articles like golden cucumber, betel leaves, raw rice, yellow flowers or konna (Cassia fistula), arecanut, fresh linen, metal mirror, a holy text with coins in a bell metal vessel known as uruli, lighted bell metal lamp called nilavilakku. Entire arrangement is complete on the previous night so they would walk to the puja room next morning with eyes closed and Vishukkani would be the first object to see as they would open their eyes.
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