Wondering how to make the dishes a tad bit special this year? Here’s some help. (Source: Pixabay) Wondering how to make the dishes a tad bit special this year? Here’s some help. (Source: Pixabay)
Celebrated with much fanfare, Vishu or the Malayalam new year is observed every year by Malayalis in Kerala, Karnataka, other parts of the country and across the world. Following the solar cycle of the lunisolar Hindu calendar, Vishu is observed on the first day of the month called Medam. Not just the traditions, the food is also a special attraction on Vishu. People feast on sadya— a feast consisting of various traditional vegetarian dishes.
It is usually served on a banana leaf in Kerala. It is also believed by many that the new year would be better if they view auspicious things on this day. Thus, Malayali women prepare a setting called Vishukkani — with items such as rice, golden lemon, golden cucumber, coconut cut open, jack fruit, kanmashi kajal and betel leaves. Wondering how to make the dishes a tad bit special this year? Check out these dishes from Kerala that you can relish on the day.
Katta
Vishu Katta is a part of the festival in Thrissur. Looking to start your day the traditional way? The dish is usually served for breakfast along with tender cashew nut curry or jaggery syrup.
Watch the video here.
Kanji
Looking for something more to spruce up your breakfast? Vishu Kanji/Rice Porridge with coconut is prepared on the festival. It is prepared with parboiled rice, white beans and finely scraped coconut.
Watch the video here.
Inchi Curry
Ginger Curry or Inji/Inchi curry is a side dish used mainly in sadya, the traditional feast of Kerala.
Watch the video here.
Koottu Curry
Prepared with banana, Bengal gram and chena (yam), Koottu Curry is a mixture of black chickpeas or chana dal and combination of vegetables like ash gourd/winter melon, raw plantain/kaya, elephant yam with ground coconut and spices.
Watch the video here.
Rice Payasam
Most of us love to relish kheer, but there is another such dessert down south prepared on Vishu. Rice Payasam is served after the meal to share the sweetness of the festival with friends and family. It is prepared with coconut milk, rice and jaggery.
Watch the video here.
So, what are you preparing for your loved ones this Vishu? Tell us in the comments below.
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Among the most important festivals in the state of Kerala, the Malayalam New Year or Vishu falls on the first day of the month of Medam as per the Malayalam Calendar. The festival generally falls somewhere in the middle of April in the Gregorian calendar. This year it will be celebrated on April 14. After the state’s harvest festival, Onam, Vishu is a day celebrated with zest in Kerala. Extravagant feast, new clothes and prayers are a part of the core celebrations in the state.
Vishu signifies that one is required to begin right which would then lead to the whole year being right. So what we perceive on the very 1st day of the New Year should be auspicious and pure and must symbolize good fortune and abundance. Hence on the day of Malayalam New Year, there is a custom among the people to open their eyes to Vishukkani, that which is worshipped and that which is the 1st thing to be seen on the occasion of Vishu. The preparations for the Malayalam New Year or Vishu start well in advance. The houses are cleaned and often painted or whitewashed to make it pure. The pooja rooms were the ritualistic presentations would be made are cleaned with the picture Gods adorned with the Chandan and Kumkum.
The prayer room is decorated with a lit lamp, golden shower flowers (yellow flowers), fruits, vegetables, betel leaves, an assortment of rice, mirror, money and gold arranged in a metal plate with the idol of Lord Krishna. People pray to Lord Krishna on the New Year’s Day and follow the traditional custom of witnessing Lord Krishna’s idol as first thing in the morning.
After the Vishukani custom, people go on to take a bath in the sacred water and offer prayers at the nearby temples. The people in Kerala put on their outfit called Kodi Vastram for celebrating Pooram Vishu. Kodi Vastram is new clothes that are specially worn during any auspicious occasion. Dancing and singing forms a part of the Malayalam New Year Celebration. Sadya or feast is prepared by women on this special occasion. The special dishes include mangoes, jackfruits, pumpkins and gourds. A dish called Moru Kutan made of Payasam (Kheer), yoghurt, Veppampoorasam (a bitter neem preparation) and Mampazhapachadi (a sour soup of mango) is prepared on the special occasion of the Malayalam New Year.
The Malayalam New Year or Vishu is celebrated every year by Malayalis in Kerela, Karnataka and different parts of the country. The festival falls on the first day of Medam as per the Malayalam calendar which usually falls in April mid every year. This year, Vishu is falling on April 14. Vishu literally means equal and the festival is marked by preparing auspicious dishes, praying and wearing new clothes. The room of worship is decorated with a lit lamp, golden shower flowers, fruits, vegetables, betel leaves, and an assortment of rice, mirror, money, and gold arranged in a metal plate with the idol of Lord Krishna. People pray to Lord Krishna on the New Year’s Day as per their traditional custom, they witness Lord Krishna’s idol as first thing in the morning.
On this day, people of Kerela take bath in sacred water and offer prayers to Lord Krishna in the temple. They also wear their traditional outfit Kodi Vastram for celebrating Pooram Vishu which is followed by dancing and singing forms as a part of Vishu day celebration. The feast of the festival known as Sadya is prepared by the women which include mangoes, jackfruits, pumpkins, and gourds. A dish called Moru Kutan made of Payasam (Kheer), yogurt, Veppampoorasam (a bitter neem preparation) and Mampazhapachadi (a sour soup of mango).
English Quotes:
“Let this Vishu give you the strength to do all that you dreamed to do during last year but didn’t dare to do. Happy Vishu! Let this be a delightful year, filled with delightful things in each of its days.”
“Start the year with the smile, Celebrate with the family and share the memories. Cherish the experience and treasure it. Let the happy moments be your inspiration in life throughout the year.Happy vishu!”
“From this vishu, I wish the each day will be filled with cheer and joy. Live your life to the fullest and dream big. May the Lord krishna shower all his blessings on you. Happy Vishu!”
“May Lord Vinayagar shower his divine blessings on you and fill your life with new hopes and endless celebrations!”
“B4 the celebration starts, B4 nostalgia sets in, B4 u get busy & B4 the network gets jammed, Let Me Wish U A FABULOUS HAPPY VISHU”
“The God created the world on this day for his followers. May on this day you find new hope and happiness at your heart to make your life beautiful! Happy Vishu Kani!”
Malayalam Quotes:
“Ormakal Koodu Kootiya manasinte Thalir chillayil, Ponnin niramulla Orayiram Ormakalumayi, oru Vishu koodi varavayi. Othiri snehathode Orayiram. Vishu Asamsakal”
“Orayiram kanikonnakal mansil pookunnu, Oru Vishu kaalam koodi, Vishu kaineetamayu ente hridayathil ninnum Orayiram Vishu asamsakal”
“Vishupakshipattum kanithelichavum kaineettathilakavum medaponpulariyil aishwaryamaakatte”
“Ethu Sangalpa Lokath pularnnalum Ethu Doosara Lokath valarnnalum manasilundakatte Gramathinte Vishudhiyum manjum ithiri konnapoovum”
“Manassilundavatte gramathin Vishudhiyum manavum Mamathayaum ithiri konnappoovum. Happy Vishu Asamsakal”
Hindi Quotes:
“भुला दो बीता हुआ कल दिल में बसाओ आने वाला कल हंसो और हंसाओ, चाहे जो भी हो पल खुशियां लेकर आएगा आने वाला कल आपका नववर्ष मंगलमय हो। हैप्पी विशु।”
“पुराना साल सबसे हो रहा है दूर, क्या करें ये ही है कुदरत का दस्तूर, बीती यादें सोचकर उदास न हो तुम, विशु के जश्न में धूम मचाओ तुम। विशु पर्व की शुभकामनाएं।”
“नए साल में गुलाब ढेरों खिलाने हैं, नए साल में गुलाब ढेरों खिलाने हैं, रोते हुए दोस्त सारे मनाने हैं, बंद आंखों में जो चुभ रहे हैं रेत की तरह, बंद आंखों में जो चुभ रहे हैं रेत की तरह, पलको को खोलके आंसू सारे गिराने है।आपको मुबारक विशु का त्योहार |”
“12 महीने आती रहे कामयाबी, 52 सप्ताह बनी रहे मुस्कान, 365 दिन होती रहे मस्ती, 8760 घंटे बनी रहे खुशी, 525600 मिनट बरसे भगवान की कृपा, और 31536000 सेकंड में एक पल भी न आए गम। हैप्पी विशु।”
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