As Kerala prepares to welcome the New Year, homes across the state will come alive with light, tradition, and symbolic rituals. Vishu 2025 lands on Monday, April 14, ushering in fresh beginnings rooted in deep cultural and spiritual meaning.
What Is Vishu and When Is It Celebrated?
Vishu is celebrated as the traditional New Year in Kerala, falling on the first day of the Malayalam month of Medam—typically April 14 or 15. This year, the Vishu Sankranti moment occurs at 3:30 AM, according to Drik Panchang.
The word “Vishu” comes from Sanskrit, meaning “equal,” aligning with the solar transit known as Mesha Sankranti—when the sun enters Aries. Though widely observed in Kerala, similar spring festivals occur across India: Baisakhi in Punjab, Bihu in Assam, and Puthandu in Tamil Nadu.
Mythological Roots and Symbolic Rituals
Legends behind Vishu are as rich as its customs. One tale celebrates Lord Krishna’s defeat of the demon Narakasura. Another links the festival to Surya Dev, the Sun God, whose return to the eastern sky after Ravana’s demise is believed to mark Vishu’s beginning—symbolizing divine order and renewal.
The day starts with the sacred Vishu Kani—a carefully curated arrangement placed in a brass vessel called an Uruli. It’s filled with auspicious items: raw rice, fresh fruits, golden cucumber, yellow flowers (Konna), coins, and a holy text. A lit Nilavilakku (traditional Kerala lamp) sits beside it, creating a visually divine start to the day.
Family members are led—eyes still closed—to view the Vishu Kani at dawn. It’s believed that the first sight of these sacred symbols brings prosperity and luck for the year ahead. Readings from the Ramayana follow, along with bursts of Vishu Padakkam (firecrackers) that add energy to the early hours.
The Vishu Sadya: A Feast to Remember
No Vishu celebration is complete without the Vishu Sadya—a lavish vegetarian feast served on banana leaves. Featuring up to 30 dishes, this meal is a sensory celebration of Kerala’s culinary traditions.
| Popular Dishes |
|---|
| Aviyal, Tomato Rasam, Beetroot Pachadi |
| Vishu Thoran, Manga Pulissery, Beans Thoran |
| Sarkara Varatti, Olan, Chakka Aviyal |
| Semiya Payasam (vermicelli pudding) |
Whether in a bustling Kerala household or among the Malayali diaspora abroad, Vishu is a time of reflection, gratitude, and joy—welcoming abundance through ancient customs that continue to thrive in modern times.