Guest guest Posted April 13, 2001 Report Share Posted April 13, 2001 Dear Friends, Just a reminder for those of you who might be interested, that April 14 is Vishu or the Malayali New Year's Day also. Since there is no time to reply to any queries in time for tomorrow observance of Vishu, I am adding a note for those who may want to know what is traditionally done. Forgive me if you already know. Usually, the main thing for Vishu is to make sure that your first sight upon opening your eyes is of something auspicious. For our family, this has meant our Guru's picture. We assemble the "Vishu kani" or "sighting" the night before. I usually set it up facing East... a little podium with Guru's picture on it, and a lamp, (and that's really the nub of it) plus anything else you like. Lamps and salvers should be clean and polished. I set up pictures of Amma, a statue of Ganesh, family and loved ones (who may not be around anymore), decorated with a fresh linen cloth or "mundu" with its gold border fanned out like a skirt below the pictures (a little sparkle always dazzles and looks lovely in the morning!). I usually put in 5 wicks in the oil lamp or whatever number it will hold. Traditionally, a cococut broken in two pieces, with rice and dal heaped in each half; bananas (with several incense sticks stuck in it), mangos, lemons, apples (whatever veg/fruit looks prettiest and most colorful in the market), sprays of yellow flowers (special for Vishu), other flowers for decoration along the edges of your set-up, some clean bills (money) fanned out, with some gold (jewelry or coins) weighting it down (a symbol of prosperity for the coming year), bhasmam and blessed water from Amma. I think that covers it. Customize it to suit your needs. Any special keepsakes from Amma for instance would certainly be blessed items to have. Favorite deities, saints (cross-cultural is fine, I'm sure) are all good stuff for "kani." I usually keep a pic. of Amma near my bed, so I can look at it right away in the morning, before going to the "kani" and lighting up lamp and incense. Get up as early as you like... in Kerala it's usually at 4:30 am., which is fairly unusual for folks here. Then I get my sleepy husband, covering his eyes with my hand, and guide him to the "kani". Before he opens his eyes, I gently wipe them with a warm damp washcloth to clear them, and point out all aspects of the kani to him. I plan to do the same with my 2-year-old for the first time this year. Traditionally, all younger ones get some money from their elders. So my husband gives me some bills, and he and I will give my daughter some too. My parents usually save our "Vishu Kayi nettam" (Vishu handout) for us till we see them again in India. It's nice to play some appropriate music/bhajans. We follow this with early baths, new clothes (or nice ones at any rate), ... we are usually vegetarian for the day. I try to make a traditional dessert, like a "pal payasam" or milk pudding (without eggs). That't it. Happy Vishu, folks! Om Namah Shivayai, Usha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 13, 2001 Report Share Posted April 13, 2001 Thank you so much for sharing this information. I am learning and this was most helpful. In Amma's Divine Love, Shelly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 13, 2001 Report Share Posted April 13, 2001 Thank you so much for the information. Triveni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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