A good start is considered as half done. Always an importance is put on beginnings across the globe. In Indian culture, Prayer to God are always offered before the start of any undertaking in order to remove potential obstacles and stresses the importance of beginning things properly, All these offerings symbolises the humble admitting of the limitations of human power and are means of supplicating to the Divine for favorable outcome.

Here in Kerala the start of the Zodic New Year when the sun enters into Sidereal Aries, Ashwini Nakshatra is celebrated as Vishu is observed on the first day of the Malayalam month of Medam (April-May) and is also regarded as the harvest festival of Kerala. The major attractions of Vishu festival are Vishukkani, Vishukaineetam and Vishubhalam. As Vishu marks the first day of the Zodiac New Year, it is an appropriate time to offer prayers to Lord Vishnu. In Indian astrology, Vishnu is seen as the head of Kaala Purusha, the God of Time.

Vishukkani, a ritualistic display which considers that the scene when one first open the eyes on Vishu morning is an indication of what one can expect in the year to come and an effort is made to assure the first scene the Vishukkani in the early morning of Vishu day. Kani literally means “that which is seen first,” While the festival is called “Vishu” only in Kerala, festivals sharing the same spirit such as Ugadhi in Andra Pradesh and in Karnataka, Gudi Padwa in Mahashtra, Bihu in Assam and Baisakhi in Punjab are celebrated around the same time of year across India.

The ritualistic arrangement of Vishukkani includes Akshatam, a mixture of rice and turmeric, which is divided into halves of husked and un-husked rice, is placed in a special bowl called an uruli. Which is traditionally made of panchaloham,(five metals. Auspicious items such as images of Lord Vishnu, the preserver of creation, a well-strached rice cloth pleated fan-like inserted into a brass kindi (a spouted puja vessel used for pouring sacred water) val-kannadi, a special type of mirror with an extremely long and thin handle is also inserted into the kindi and placed in the uruli on top of the rice, flower, fruits and vegetables clothes and gold coins are also displayed.

Bhagavad-Gita should be made part of arrangement. The book is the pramanam the instrument used for attaining the eternal, non-perishable wisdom of the Rishis as well as a symbol of that knowledge itself.

The Nilavilakku, Traditional oil lamp welcomes God into our lives and is also symbolises of spiritual knowledge. Kanikkonna, a golden yellow flower which only blooms in this season is used liberally in vishukkani. Gold coins are the symbols of monetary affluence, as well as cultural and spiritual wealth, which the elders of the family must share freely with the younger generation.

Normally grandmother or mother who arranges the Vishukkani will wake up during the auspicious hour of the Brahma muhurata (4.00 to 6.00 a.m), and light the Nilavilakku (traditional oil-lamp). After waking up rest of the family members and covering their eyes and lead them to take in the auspicious sight. Through Vishukkani the reflection it offers, shows our own face, the pure consciousness that is our true nature reminding us that God is in our mind. The Vishukkani is taken around for the viewing of the elderly and sick who are perhaps too frail to come to the shrine. It is also brought outside and shown to the family cows. As it is brought to the cowshed, it in fact is on display for the birds, the trees, for all of nature to see. After all the members have completed Kani Kanal, it is time for Vishukaineetam. The eldest member of the family starts giving Vishukaineetam to every younger family member. Vishukaineetam is the ritual of given silver coins (in olden days) or money to other members of the family and wishing them that the coming years will be blessed with prosperity and success. In some places, especially in the northern parts of Kerala, children begin to fire crackers on Vishu. Vishukkaineettam, the distribution of wealth, is another aspect of the festival.

Vishukkani points to a year of abundance both spiritually and materially such as everything like light, money, knowledge, Food, which fill our life. Vishukkani is not just a joy comes only to our eyes. It must reflect in our thoughts and actions. The auspicious start of the year which has come to us due to the grace of beginning it with a divine vision is not for us alone. It depends on individuals to spread this love, happiness and hope to rest of the society. The coming vishu will once again remember us that we are not put on this earth for ourselves, but are placed here for each other.