Vishu-Kani Konna- Konnapoov The golden shower tree or Kanikonna in Malayalam the tree with beautiful yellow flowers that represent the prosperity of Kerala. This flower has an important role in Vishu celebrations and it is associated with Lord Krishna. Kanikonna is known as the Golden Shower Tree or Indian laburnum Cassia. It is considered as state flower of Kerala. Kanikonna is an ornamental plant and also an Ayurvedic herbal medicine. It blooms in late spring.The trees flowering totally covered with yellow flowers and almost no leaf. During the late spring it is an interesting sight to see the konna flowers on the Kerala road side.
Vishu the second biggest celebration of malayalee and it ushers new year of Malayalam. In my childhood Vishu is bigger than Onam, because there we got the chance of bursting the fireworks and crackers.
Vishu the first day of medam is the astronomical new year day, it is an unchangable day. Vishu literally means equal, it is the completion fo spring equinox.The day of Vishu when the sun enters Medham rashi, the day day and night are equal. This means that the latitude of the place is the same as the declination of the sun.
Malayalees believe in 'Vishnu Kani' that the fortunes of the year is depend on the object that see in the morning of Vishu. VishnuKani – arranging is arranging colourful family items preparing in Uruli- an open faced vessel, Kanikonna a golden yellow flower, This flower only blooms when the sun is in its most exalted position astrologically, the month surrounding Vishu, seasonal fruits-Jack fruit, Mango, Kanivellari – Golden coloured Cumber an important one, money, rice, Mirror etc. A lamp either Nilavilakku or a lamp in one half of coconut and The day also played with fireworks, Kaineetam, special feast – Sadhya etc.. The lighting of the deepam welcomes God into our lives a symbol of spiritual knowledge—the remover of the darkness of ignorance.
The elder member of the family either grandmother or mother who arranges the Vishukkani, in Brahma muhurtham – morning 4am to 6am she lighten the oil lamps wake up other members of the family bring them infront of the Vishukani by covering their eyes and open infront of the kani, allowing each of them to take the auspicious sight. It belives that one get a glorious light that is Darshan from the God. The mirror is a symbol of Goddess that is Devi, It increases the lustre of the Vishukkani via the reflection it offers that reflects their own face. There is belief that one who see a proper Vishukani, then he get good luck during the year.
Then Kaineetam – The eldest member of the family gives money or coins to all junior members along with rice and konnapove, The kaineetam is given not only to the family but to the relatives and neighbours also. Then comes Sadhya and Fireworks.
