Malayalee community celebrates Vishu in Pune

The Malayalee community in the city on Friday celebrated their summer harvest festival Vishu with gusto. Vishu also marks the first day of the Malayalee new year.

The main ritual of the day is Vishu Kani, the ceremony of looking at fresh agricultural products such as rice, paddy, cucumber, jackfruit, coconut and ripe plantains, which are aesthetically arranged and placed at the feet of Lord Krishna along with gold and silver coins.

Little yellow flowers called Konnapoovu, which are looked upon as symbol of prosperity, are an indispensable part of Vishu Kani.
Hari Narayanan, a resident of Nigdi, said, “For Vishu Kani, we arrange Konnapoovu, jackfruits, mangoes, fresh vegetables, gold ornaments, bell metal mirror with a white pleated cloth tied to it’s handle (supposedly used by goddess Parvati), the traditional bronze vessel, ‘Uruli’ filled with rice, items used for daily worship (asthamangalam), a split coconut and some coins, at the lord’s feet.”

Hariharan Nair, who also lives in Nigdi-Pradhikaran, said, “On this occasion the Malayalee families visit each other and elders give money to younger ones. The younger ones save the money for celebrating the festival next year.”

Women cook a variety of delicacies for lunch, which is called the Vishu Sadya. The feast is enjoyed by the whole family.