Vishu is one of Kerala's most beloved festivals, a day that begins before sunrise, in the glow of oil lamps, with eyes closed and hearts open. More than a New Year celebration, it is a deeply personal ritual of beginning, choosing to see beauty and abundance as the very first thing you encounter in the year ahead.

Vishu 2026 will be celebrated on Tuesday, 14th April.

Where is Vishu Celebrated?

Vishu is a Malayali festival that celebrates the Malayalam New Year in Kerala, Tulu Nadu, and Mahe in India. It is also observed in parts of Karnataka such as Mangalore, and in the Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu, where large Malayali communities reside. The same astronomical event, the sun's entry into the zodiac sign of Aries, is celebrated across India under different names: Puthandu in Tamil Nadu, Maha Vishuba Sankranti in Odisha, Pohela Boishakh in West Bengal, and Vaisakhi in Punjab.

The Significance of Vishu

The word Vishu comes from the Sanskrit Viṣuvam, literally meaning 'equal', and originally referred to the celebration of the spring equinox, when day and night are of equal length.  Vishu falls on the first day of the month of Medam, the first month of the Solar calendar used in Malabar, Kerala, signifying the solar new year as the sun moves into the zodiac sign of Aries.

At its heart, Vishu is built on a beautiful belief: that the first thing you see on New Year's morning sets the tone for the entire year ahead. Every ritual of the festival flows from this idea.

Vishu Rituals and Traditions

Sighting the Vishu Kani

The most sacred ritual of Vishu begins the night before, when the eldest member of the family, usually the mother or grandmother, prepares the Vishu Kani overnight and leads other family members to see it early in the morning.

The Vishukanni is arranged inside a traditional bell-metal vessel called an uruli and consists of flowers, vegetables, fruits, a traditional lamp, a metal mirror, coins, rice, a holy text, and other auspicious items. Central to this arrangement are the brilliant yellow blossoms of the Kani Konna (Cassia fistula, or Indian Laburnum), Kerala's state flower, which blooms specifically during this season and is considered the most auspicious sight of all.

The mirror, or valkkannadi, placed within the Kani holds symbolic significance; it represents self-reflection and awareness as one steps into the new year.

On the morning of Vishu, family members are gently led to the Kani with their eyes closed. When they open their eyes to this glowing, golden display, it is believed that seeing it first thing in the morning brings prosperity and good fortune for the year ahead.

Vishu Kaineetam

After the Kani sighting, elders give a small amount of money or coins to children, servants, and tenants, a tradition called Vishukkaineettam, or Kaineettam.  The younger members of the family touch their elders' feet and receive their blessings. It is a gesture that reinforces the belief that sharing wealth brings more of it back to you.

Vishu Padakkam

Wearing new clothes, children playing with firecrackers, and devotees visiting Krishna temples early in the morning are additional Vishu traditions. The burst of firecrackers (Vishu Padakkam) immediately after viewing the Kani is a joyful announcement to the neighbourhood that a new year has arrived. It is said that Malayalis burst more firecrackers during Vishu than during Diwali.

Wearing New Clothes

New clothes, called Kodi, are an important part of the day. Men traditionally wear a mundu (a white dhoti with a golden border), and women dress in Kerala sarees with gold jewellery. Visiting friends and relatives dressed in new clothes is a cherished part of the evening celebration.

The Vishu Sadhya

No festival in Kerala is complete without a grand feast. The Vishu Sadhya is served on fresh banana leaves, bringing families together around a spread of traditional dishes. It includes rice, sambar, avial, rasam, pickles, banana chips, various side dishes, and payasam, the classic Kerala rice pudding. A special morning dish called Vishu Kanji, made of rice, coconut milk, and spices, is also a beloved Vishu preparation. Another festive delicacy is Vishu Katta, made from freshly harvested rice powder and coconut milk, served with jaggery.

Visiting Temples

Families visit temples, especially those dedicated to Lord Krishna, to offer prayers, participate in special Vishu rituals, and seek the deity's blessings for protection and success in the coming year. The temples at Guruvayur, Sabarimala, and Padmanabhaswamy in Thiruvananthapuram are among the most visited during this period.

Vishu Beyond Kerala

Even Malayalis living abroad celebrate Vishu with the same enthusiasm, often recreating Vishukkani displays and cooking traditional dishes. The festival has become a global celebration of Malayali identity and culture, a reminder that no matter where life takes you, tradition keeps you anchored to home.

Experience Vishu in Kerala

There is nothing quite like witnessing Vishu in Kerala itself, in homes fragrant with Kani Konna blossoms, in temple courtyards lit with oil lamps before dawn, and at family tables where the Sadhya is served with pride and love.

Book your bus to Kerala on redBus and travel comfortably across the state to be part of the celebrations, whether you're heading to Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur, Kochi, or Kozhikode. Plan ahead; Vishu is one of the busiest travel periods of the year in Kerala.

Vishu Ashamsakal! Wishing you a prosperous and joyful new year.