Kerala and people who hail from the south Indian coastal state celebrate their New Year on the first day of the month of Medam according to the Malayalam Astrological calendar. This day coincides with Puttandu in Tamil Nadu, Poila Boishakh in Bengal, Bohag Bihu in Assam and Baisakhi in Punjab.
The women and elders in the family prepare the Vishu Kani the night before by placing rice grains, cucumber, pumpkin, coconut, mangoes, betel leaves, supari, flowers, coins and fruits and a metal vessel called "urali"in front of a mirror that reflects the image of their deity.
On Vishu, people take the Kani Darshanam soon after waking up.
After taking the darshanam, people take bath and wear new clothes.
Women look resplendent in Kasavu saree (off white saree with golden border) and traditional jewellery while the men look dapper in white veshti (dhoti) and shirt.
Then they visit a temple to seek blessings of the divine for an auspicious start.
People also give ‘vishukaineetam’, an act of giving gifts (mostly coins).
And like all festivals in India, Vishu is incomplete without an elaborate meal. On Vishu, people gorge on delicious meal – Sadya - that consists of 26 different preparations.
