വിഷു

The festival marks the first day of the Malayalam Year and falls in the month of Medam (April – May). "Vishu" in Sanskrit means "equal". Therefore Vishu is more probably denoting one of the equinox days.

Vishukkani : The most important event in Vishu is the Vishukkani, which literally " the first to be seen on the Vishu day". The Vishukkani consist of a ritual arrangement of auspicious articles like raw rice, fresh lemon, golden cucumber, betel leaves, arecanut, metal mirror, the yellow flowers konna (Cassia fistula), and a holy text and coins, in a bell metal vessel called uruli in the puja room of the House. A lighted bell metal lamp called nilavilakku is also placed alongside. This arrangement is completed the previous night. On the day of Vishu, the custom is to wake up at dawn and go to the puja room with the eyes closed so that the Vishukkani is the first sight of the new season. 

Vishu Kaineetam : Children wait eagerly for this ritual. The elders of the family starting with the grand father or father give away Kaineetam to the younger ones. The Kaineetam consists of coins (now mostly notes) with Konna flowers, rice and the gold from the Uruli. The gold and the rice are returned to the Uruli and touch the eyes with flower. Earlier days, it was a custom to give Kaineetam to all the people associated with the house such as servants, field workers and land-tenants. The principle is the symbolic sharing of the prosperity and wishing happiness for all.

Vishu Sadhya:  How can a festival go complete without food (YuMmY !!)  A Sadya is traditionally a vegetarian meal served on a plantain or banana leaf; people eat sitting cross-legged on the floor. Sadhya can have up to 24 dishes served in it.

One More Vishu passing away leaving happiness.........

Sister - A Blessing !!!

"A sister is a gift to the heart, a friend to the spirit, a golden thread to the meaning of life..."

I don't have my own sister & i have always felt bad about it.. But today i am thankful & grateful to the almighty, that he has blessed me with so many sisters & i understood that he didn't want me to have just one sis of my own..... I have always had a thought in my mind to post about Sister  & today its a dream come true....

In My life i have shared so much with my sisters, both bitter 'n' sweet.... All my sisters have been such a comfort to me, they help me in every way, every day....  They have always guided me to the right track whenever i have slipped off....

They have always lend a hand in need & are being my great support indeed..

I call them in different ways like "Akka", "Didi", "Chechi", "Sis", sometimes "Mam" & to all them, am their younger bro... :)

I have always enjoyed the l'il fights, the arguments, teasing out each other, guidance, support & what not.. Many times  i love to hear their scoldings :) at times i get emotionally hurt too... but the underlying fact is i always feel that i have been given enough space or freedom to show out all my mischeviousness with them...  Its my sisters with whom i share a lot of things, be it personal or professional, they are always there for me & i am very much thankful about it...

They all have given me so many nice moments that i would always treasure close to my heart !

In  simpler words, all my sisters are loving, caring, cheerful, friendly, trustworthy, kindhearted,   understanding,   wise ,  elegant ....

I thank god for blessing me with so many sweet sisters in my life & i pray that the love & care my sisters pour on me always continue thru my life time...  I am sure that God will bless all my sisters.....

To all my sisters, with love....