Kutie's First Vishu

Happy Vishu, my dear Kutie

Vishu is one of the big festivals in Kerala, India. Held on the first day of Malaylam month of Medam it signifies our new year. Having a 'Vishukani' and bursting of fire crackers are the big highlights of the day, apart from the feast that is served at lunch.

Being the first new year for my little one, we had to make it a great day. [Though, just like baby's first b'day its an event for parents than the little one.] Unfortunately, being miles away from your hometown, you might not find all the articles for the Vishukani - the offerings to the divine that is traditionally set up in an Urli [tray] and has to be viewed right after one wakes up on the day, before daybreak.

The main thing missing from our kani was yellow flowers 'konna-poo' and betal nut leaves. (We found some other yellow flowers for the occasion from the local Albertsons as a replacement). All other items, - rice, coconut, fruits, vegetables, nilavilakku [lamp], vallkandi [metal mirror], were present. (Here is a snapshot of the items from the main tray).


My wonderful honey also decided to add on another tradition to the event by giving silver coins as Vishukkaineetam [token coins given by elders to little ones in the house after viewing the Vishukani]. We purchased the same yesterday evening.

Yesterday night, after Kutie was asleep we set up the kani in preparation for the early morning. Since kani needs to be seen before daybreak, we decided to wake up around 4.30 AM to light the lamp.

5:00AM: Poo-amma woke up early and had already lit the lamp, when my honey woke me up - placing a hand on my eyes, indicating me to keep them closed until I saw the Kani. It was divine sight indeed! We received our Vishukkaineetam & blessings from poo-amma. Since it was still very early, we debated on waking Kutie up since he might start to cry. After some debate we decided to try our luck and I picked him up and brought him over to see the Kani. Bingo! He did not cry and slowly woke up to see the wondrous sight. Maybe it was all the arrangements or just something divine that he did not cry and even started to smile and enjoy in a little while. He received his first Vishukkaineetam from all three of us.

9.00AM: After bath, and breakfast we started our preparations for the feast ahead. The first item was Semiya payasam [kheer], mainly to ensure that no other flavors would interfere with the desert. Then we went on to Avial, Mangakootan, Olan, Ingitharu, & Papadam. We also had chips and pickles to complete the feast. Around 11, we decided to open up the 'Little Tikes - Activity Walker' for Kutie-pie. Unfortunately, he was more interested in the little parts before they were assembled; and by the time it was ready, he was off to sleep. But this ensured that we had time to have the feast and enjoy a movie! ;) [That reminds me, I haven't watched TV for almost two weeks! - WOW, that should be a record in itself, another blog topic, I guess]

12.12 PM: Lunch time! Ah what a wonderful feast.



In the afternoon since it was pretty nice outside we decided to go to the nearby temple. We were all tired and ready to hit the bed when we got back. But I voted to watch the movie out since its back to work tomorrow and the bounds of routine will ensure that we will not get another chance soon enough!

Wish you all a Very Happy New Year! May all your dreams come true!

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