SIGNIFICANCE OF LORD KRISHNA AND MIRROR IN VISHU KANNI

Lord Krishnan came in the Vishu kani and the story of Vishu. The Vishu Kani usually has the Lord’s photo or idol in the main focus, mostly that of Lord Krishna/vishnu as he is said to be the ‘Kaala Purusha’ or the God of Time. He marks off the Zodiac New Year. Sloka 33 of Sri Vishnu Sahasra Nama Sthothram describes Lord Vishnu as Yugaadi-krit (one who creates Yugas), Yugaavarto (one who causes the repetition of Yugas).Hence, it is befitting to celebrate this day with the worship of the Para Brahma, the Supreme Lord Narayana who is the cause and effect of this infinite Time element. vishnu is the Jagat Prabhu or Lord of the Universe, Bhuta-Bhavya-Bhavan-Natha - Lord of past, present and future. The Almighty is depicted in terms of space and time as being immanent. He is one in many things to many. As he is the lord of the universe, one of his avatar i.e Krishna is taken in kanni. He is Himself the universe. He is the origin of all that originated. Another reason is the relation between the lord krishnan and nature. The lord Krishnan was closely related and lived in the nature. It is mentioned in the holy books that lord Krishna’s favourite pass time is playing flute and dancing with radha. Most of the time he used to spend with nature under the kadamba tree. So there is no lord which has closely related to the nature as Krishnan, that is why Lord Krishnan kept as a major part of the Kani.

One of the other features of the Kani is the mirror, which symbolizes Bhagavathy and also the fact that, rather than reflecting the Kani and making it more beautiful, it shows us that the Supreme Being is present within ourselves.

Gold shower flowers are used to adorn the Kani, with their bright yellow color, symbolizing Surya, the sun God, who is a symbol of ever flowing grace and auspiciousness. Almost all the items in the Vishu Kani are Gold colored: flowers, fruits, vessels, coins etc, symbolizing purity involved. The lighting of the deepam welcomes God into our lives and is also symbolic of spiritual knowledge—the remover of the darkness of ignorance.

The family ancestors are given due respects by vishu samkramana tharpana ceremonies. It’s seen Vishu is most celebrated in the middle regions of Kerala, particularly Thrissur. It may be due to the magic of Guruvayoorappan. Similar to Diwali, during previous evenings and early mornings children enjoy the festival with crackers. But this practice is not widely followed in the southern regions of Kerala. Before dawn children lights up fire works. The fire works represents the loud and open statements to become pure in thoughts and firm in our resolve to become nobler.

What is significance of making offering to the god :-

“Vishu kanni” items are are offered to lord guruvayoorappan, as a matter of thanks -giving. "kaazhcha dravyangal" are offered to the deities in that great concept. This is done as an expression of gratitude to the power that created all things.Man by himself cannot create even a blade of grass.We will be guilty of gross ingratitude if we do not offer first to god what we eat or wear.Only best and the choicest should be offered to god.

What is vishukani:-

Vishukani or the viewing of the auspicious objects is an important ritual associated with Vishu, the festival of Kerala. It is believed that the first object that one sees in the Vishu morning determines the prosperity in store for the coming year. Hence, a set of auspicious objects will be arranged on previous day to view as first sight in the early morning of Vishu. The slightly vary from region to region with in Kerala itself as per the local values and customs.

The traditional people of Kerala practice a lot of colorful rituals and customs on Vishu. Most of these traditions are based on a belief that Vishu must be celebrated well as the good things of the first day of the New Year will continue for the rest of the year too. Half of the success is assured if your start is good. This is exactly the same principle behind the Vishu Kani for the Malayalees. The kani comprises of auspicious items such as Uruli, Kasavu Pudava, Kannikonna, Vellarikya/Kanivellari means golden color cucumber), all types of fruits, i.e. Mango fruit (Green colour and golden color), Jackfruit, Banana, Coconut, Kani Konna ( the yellow flower which usually blooms at this time), Kuthu Vilakku (five faced Oil Lamp), Valkannadi (A mirror composed in metal alloy), Vettila Pakku (bettel leaves and bettle nut), Unakkalari (a variety of rice), various types of grains, coins, gold jewelry, Holy book of Ramayana/narayaneeyam/bhagawatham and Unnikannan (Lord Krishna) It is not necessary to keep all these items. One can keep whichever is available but the only basic element is that the items which are kept should be golden or yellow in color. The Kani is set by the mother of the family, in the puja room, the night before.

At the stroke of dawn, the lady who prepared the kani wakes up each member of the house one by one with their eyes closed and guides them to the puja room so that when they open their eyes, the first sight will be the kani. After seeing the kani, then follows bath rituals and father will give pudhu kodi and each person will take blessings from the god and reads few sloKas from the holy book Ramayana/Bhagawatham. Some believe that the first page that you open from the Ramayana/Bhagawatham will have an impact on your life for the coming year. The elderly and sick people, who may not be able to walk to the puja room, will also be able to see the kani when it is being taken around the house. The Vishukani is also taken outside the house to show it to the birds, trees and cows. There is also a tradition to give small amounts of cash to children of the family. This tradition is called Vishu Kaineetam. People believe that this custom will ensure prosperity for their children in future. The festival creates oneness among family, respecting all beings in the family, all animals; birds are offered food as a part of the celebrations to ensure that we are not separate from them. Vishu is one of the most important occasions for a Malayalis, for a good year ahead, each one of them, long for the grace of the Lord, as Grace is the most important aspect of success.

SIGNIFICANCE OF YELLOW COLOUR IN VISHUKANI:-

I have heard that the “Kani” should signify auspiciousness through the yellow colour.Yellow is the colour of knowledge and learning. It symbolizes happiness, peace, meditation, competence and mental development.It is the colours of spring and activate the mind.Lord Vishnu dress is yellow symbolizing his representations of knowledge.Yellow colour has spiritual importance in religions like Hinduism. The people belonging to Hinduism believe that this an auspicious one and never forget to use this color whenever they start new consignments. To get this color they use the mixture of turmeric powder and little bit water. Particularly the business people in various parts of India will apply this color on the front page of their new account notebook to get more profits in that year. During the occasions like marriage the priests will mix the turmeric powder with a little quantity of water and rice to make Akshata. It is told in Hinduism that turmeric powder and water can be used to create instant Lord Ganesh to worship Him. The Hindu people will wear yellow colored dresses while they are performing religious activities. It is also a traditional habit that every bride of Hindu marriage should have worn yellow saree. The yellow color is also associated with the God of Jupiter. In Hinduism God of Jupiter is called as Guru Bhagavan Brihaspathi.Golden yellow has many other associations.In Hinduism, yellow is the symbolic representation of the third Chakra, the Manipuraka Chakra.Golden yellow represents the warmth of the sun, a colour that provides a bright and cheerful feeling as well as a somber, traditional, and religious aura. Yellow denotes ‘precious’ as the metal Gold or ‘ripe’ as the colour of the harvesting season, be it golden wheat, corn or paddy. Perhaps this is the reason why Golden yellow colour is given more importance in Hinduism.

SIGNIFICANCE OF KANIKONNA:-

vishu is "vaishnavam" in nature, that is why it is celebrated in vishnu krishna temples, in more predominant manner. The legend goes that goddess lakshmi devi opens her eyes, letting golden coins to shower upon the worshippers. "kanikkonna" represents the golden coins came out of "Lakshmi nethrangal"(eyes).The golden shower of the Cassia fistula brings another picture to my mind – the golden rain of the Amla fruits bestowed on the Brahmin lady by the Goddess Lakshmi, when Adi Sri Shankaracharya intercedes on her behalf and recites the Kanakadhara Stothram.

In addition to the twenty-two slokas of the Kanakadhara Stothram said to have been recited by Adi Sankaracarya, three slokas have been found in ancient palmyra leaves. Brahmasri Bhutapuri Subrahmanya Sarma has been instrumental in bringing them to one’s notice. I quote one slokam as it corroborates the Golden Shower

Bilvatavi Madhya lasatsaroje
Sahasra patre sukhi sannivistam |
Astapadambhuruha panipadmam
Suvarna Varnam pranamami lakshmeem ||

Oh! Sri Maha Lakshmi who is adorning in the middle of the thousand petalled lotus in Bilva Vana, Holding Golden Lotuses in her hand, possessing golden hue colour. To her my Salutations.

When Thumba blooms its time for onam, and when Konna blooms its time for vishu. My mother used to tell me a story of Vishu which I want to share with you. During vishu yellow flowers called Konna Poo is offered to lord krishna while keeping vishu kani. These flowers have a story behind it.

STORY BEHIND KANNIKONNA:-

My Amma used to say when Thumba blooms its time for onam, and when Konna blooms its time for vishu. My mother used to tell me a story of Vishu which I want to share with you. During vishu yellow flowers called Konna Poo is offered to lord krishna while keeping vishu kani. These flowers have a story behind it.

Once in a small village a zamindar had employed a priest to do pooja in temple. The thirumeni daily comes to the temple with his son who is about five years old. while the priest performing his duties inside the temple, the son used to play around the premises of the temple. Everyday afternoon the father used to sleep in the frontyard of the temple and the boy used to play nearby. With his half closed eye he used to watch his son enjoying in playing. The fact was that unni krishnan used to come out of the temple and play with the little boy and so the boy was enjoyng and playing as if he is playing with group of boys, laughing, screaming, running. Once on the previous day of Vishu, the father cleaned the temple premises, tired and slept outside of the temple. He told his son to play nearby not to go far off and the boy was playing near his father. On that afternoon kutty krishnan gave his waist belt which was full of golden bells to the boy as the Vishu Kaineetum. The boy was very happy to receive, and while gazing at it, the zamindar saw the golden waistbelt of Krishna in the hands of the boy. He immediately called all villagers and declared that the father and son had stolen it. The father started crying and pleading that they have not stolen anything and he could not tolerate people calling his child a thief. He beat him and threw the chain out into the garden. The chain got stuck on a tree and the tree suddenly bloomed with yellow flowers.These flowers are called as konna poo which are even today offered to lord krishna in the vishu kani because it pleases lord krishna and reminds of his love for the small boy who was very dear to him.

Symbolism:-

Kanikonna is the state flower of Kerala. The lovely yellow flowers are used in Vishu Festival in the state. Gold shower flowers are used to adorn the Kani, with their bright yellow color, symbolizing Surya, the sun God, who is a symbol of ever flowing grace and auspiciousness.It is evident from religious the books that this flower was spread on every feet area of the state. Lord Vishnu once thought that this beauty should be spread in other parts of the country and he took the bunch of flowers and flew it in various directions. Since then various states of the country received this lovely and calm flower tree. It is also described in “Kalki Puran” that in last few centuries, this world will be covered with this tree and the beautiful yellow color will erase all the disputes.This golden flower only blooms when the sun is in its most exalted position astrologically—the month surrounding Vishu.In God's creations there is purpose in everything.

PHOTO CREDIT TO MR.Dinesh Ambady Unni

SIGNIFICANCE OF VISHU:-

What does Vishu signify?

Vishu is derived from “Vishuvam” in Sanskrit and Malayalam, which means “equal”. On the day of Vishu when the sun enters Medham rashi, the day is EQUAL to night. This means that the latitude of the place is the same as the declination of the sun. April 14th marks the new year in accordance with Kolla Varsham the Malayalam calendar. This occasion signifies the sun's transit into the Meda Rasi (first zodiac sign ) according to Indian astrological calculations, and represents the vernal equinox. Vishu marks the beginning of a new calendar year in Kerala. The principle behind the celebration of this festival lies in the fact that a good beginning paves the way to success. In fact, it is a day of supplication and surrender to that Supreme power we call God, without whose grace our limited faculties can achieve nothing.The two main rituals performed during Vishu are Vishukani and Vishukaineetam. Celebrations are majestic on Vishu. Bursting crackers, lighting lamps all over their houses, receiving blessings from the elders, greeting each others with sweets, new clothes and money to those younger than you, are the prime happenings during Vishu. People also wear kodi vastram (new clothes) on this day. Patassu (fire crackers) are burst in the midst of dancing and merry to mark the day.

The story behind Vishu:-

The origin of Vishu is elusive and obscure as there is lack of literature regarding it. The customs and traditions slightly vary from region to region with in Kerala itself as per the local values and customs. This makes its even more confusing not to mention the change in the attitude and life style of the people. But one Interesting myth is related to the demon king Ravana.
Legend has it that the Navgrahas were controlled by Ravana during his reign of Lanka. He had Shani imprisoned. It is said that Ravana was not impressed with Surya rising from the east and the rays falling on his palace without his permission.Ravana saw the intense heat produced by Surya as arrogance. Ravan decided go in for a war with Surya.A scared Surya agreed to not to shine on the palace of Ravana. This caused lot of difficulties for the people in the region. Surya arrived late daily and this caused havoc in nature. Crops were damaged. There was scarcity of food. Then Sri Ram defeated Ravana in the epic battle and Surya started rising from the east on time. Ravana had never allowed the Sun to rise straight from the East and after Ravana’s death it was on a Vishu day, that the Sun started to rise from the East.

It is believed that people celebrate Vishu in remembrance of Sri Ram defeating Ravana and Surya appearing on time. The story just shows the importance of Sun in the lives of human beings on earth.

WHY DO WE CELEBRATE VISHU?

14th April 2016 is the holy festival “Vishu” of Kerala; All the Indian festivals are sacred and demonstrate great ideals. Kerala has two main festivals namely Onam and Vishu, both of which are related to agriculture. This festival is celebrated by Hindus, unlike Onam which is celebrated by all religions of Kerala. While the festival of Onam represents harvest, Vishu represents symbolically the onset (represents tilling i.e Preparing the land for crops). Vishu is the ‘hope’ about the ‘anticipated abundance’ of the morrow .The smell of a special flower called 'kanikonna' (Cassia fistula) which blooms only around this time is enough for people to realize that Vishu is around the corner. Some of the main features of Vishu are Vishukkani, vishukkaineetam, vishu sadhya etc. But there is a widespread misconception that Vishu is the harbinger of the Kerala New Year. Some parts of Kerala say Vishu is New Year, but some will not agree it because they say chingam 1 is the New Year.

My Amma used to say that the celebration of vishu of her childhood days are different from the present celebrations.Vishu represents symbolically the onset and Onam the finale of the major harvest season of the agriculture. On the day of Vishu, what we see is the cautious first step of the journey towards that success. Vishu is the ‘hope’ about the ‘anticipated abundance’ of the morrow and Onam is the overwhelming realisation of that collective dream. On the day of Vishu, what we see is the cautious first step of the journey towards that success. On that day, the granaries of paddy are not overflowing. The strategy containing in the message Vishu is to deploy the available resources intelligently and efficiently so that the success of the ensuing harvest is built in from the beginning itself. Therefore Vishu celebrations are bereft of any kind of flamboyance. There is no grand feast on that day, but a simple and traditional food of a typical cultivator – ‘Kanji’ and ‘thoran’ (rice cooked without the water drained off and a conventional vegetable dish popular in Kerala). Onam declares “enjoy, be happy today”, and Vishu counsels, “work towards a prosperous tomorrow”.

There is a migratory bird which normally visits Kerala during this time and is referred to as Vishu Pakshi (Pakshi means bird). Vishu has immense significance astrologically as the day and night are of equal duration. Major periodicals in Malayalam carry Vishubhalam (astrological predictions) for the next one year. Preparations for the agricultural season also begin on the Vishu day.The paddy fields by ploughing was done on the day of Vishu, the sowing was carried out on the ‘pathamudayam’ meaning the tenth day of Vishu. Even now, in many parts of Kerala, on ‘pathamudayam’, people perform ‘Adithya Pooja’ (sun worship) and ‘Noorum Paalum’ (an offering consisting of rice floor, turmeric powder and milk) to please Serpent gods.

UGADI RANGOLI INFRONT OF MY APARTMENT

UGADI RANGOLI DRAWN INFRONT OF SRI LAKSHMI PRASANNA VENKATESWARA SWAMY TEMPLE,

UGADI RANGOLI DRAWN INFRONT OF SRI LAKSHMI PRASANNA VENKATESWARA SWAMY TEMPLE, SRINIVASANAGAR, AKKAYAPALEM, VISAKHAPATNAM.

RANGOLI INFRONT OF LALITHA TEMPLE ON UGADI