Vishu Kani is a special morning sight during the Vishu festival in Kerala, India. When we were children, waking up on Vishu day was magical. Our parents would guide us with closed eyes to see the Kani first thing in the morning. The Kani had shiny coins, fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, and a mirror. The yellow konna flowers were the brightest! Seeing all these beautiful things first was believed to bring good luck for the whole year ahead. The best part was getting “Vishu kaineetam” – pocket money from elders. These childhood memories of Vishu make us feel warm and happy inside. The smell of those yellow flowers still takes many people back to those special childhood mornings when everything seemed so wonderful and new.
The Vishu Kani arrangement should ideally be placed in a location where it faces east. This direction is considered auspicious as it symbolizes the rising sun and new beginnings. The arrangement itself should be positioned in a puja room or a common area where family members can easily view it first thing in the morning. It is essential to ensure that no shadow falls on the idol or arrangement, so the placement should be carefully planned to avoid any obstruction.
Here are the key points for placement:
Direction: The Vishu Kani should face east.
Location: It should be placed in the puja room or a common area.
Avoid Shadows: Ensure no shadows fall on the arrangement or idol.
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The essential items needed for preparing Vishu Kani:
To prepare a traditional Vishu Kani, the following essential items are required:
Uruli:
A circular vessel made of bell metal or five metals (Pancha loham) to hold the arrangement.
Raw Rice (Unakkalari):
Used as the base layer in the Uruli.
Kasavu Mundu or Pudava:
A traditional Kerala-style white cloth with golden embroidery.
Fruits and Vegetables:
Golden cucumber (Kani Vellarikka)
Mangoes (ripe or raw)
Jackfruit
Bananas
Pineapple
Other yellow fruits like lemons and oranges.
Flowers: Kanikonna (Indian Laburnum) is a must for decoration.
Coconuts: Halved and filled with oil and wicks for lighting.
Holy Scriptures: Such as the Ramayanam or Bhagavad Gita.
Mirror (Aranmula Kannadi): A brass or special mirror to reflect prosperity.
Gold or Silver Items: Coins, ornaments, or jewelry to symbolize wealth.
Oil Lamp (Nilavilakku): Lit to create an auspicious golden hue.
The Vishu Kani is traditionally arranged in front of an idol or picture of Lord Krishna, symbolizing prosperity and blessings for the New Year.
Choosing the right fruits for Vishu Kani:
To choose the right fruits for Vishu Kani, consider the following guidelines:
Seasonal and Fresh Fruits:
Select fruits that are in season and fresh, as they symbolize abundance and prosperity. Common choices include mangoes, jackfruit, bananas, pineapples, and golden cucumbers (kani vellari), which are essential.
Symbolic Importance:
Jackfruit: Associated with Lord Ganesha.
Mangoes: Dedicated to Lord Subrahmanya.
Bananas: Represent Lord Krishna’s favorite fruit.
Lemons and Gooseberries: Believed to please Goddess Lakshmi.
Golden-Hued Fruits: Emphasize yellow or golden-colored fruits like ripe mangoes and lemons to match the auspicious theme of Vishu Kani.
Diversity: Include a variety of fruits to represent abundance. You can add apples, oranges, grapes, and pomegranates based on availability.
Aesthetic Appeal: Ensure the fruits are unblemished and visually appealing to enhance the beauty of the Kani arrangement.
Arranging the fruits in the Vishu Kani:
Choose Fresh and Seasonal Fruits: Select ripe and visually appealing fruits such as mangoes, bananas (kadali variety), jackfruit, golden cucumber (kani vellari), pineapples, and other locally available fruits like apples, oranges, and pomegranates.
Layering in the Uruli:
Begin by filling the brass vessel (Uruli) with raw rice or paddy as the base.
Place the golden cucumber prominently as it is the centerpiece of the arrangement.
Position Fruits Strategically:
Arrange bananas in a bunch or individually around the cucumber.
Place jackfruit, mangoes, and other fruits symmetrically to create a balanced and aesthetic look.
Incorporate Split Coconut:
Add both halves of a split coconut alongside the fruits for auspiciousness.
Decorate with Kanikonna Flowers:
Place cassia fistula flowers (konnapoo) on top of the arrangement to enhance its visual appeal and auspiciousness.
Add Other Items:
Include gold coins, ornaments, sacred books, and an ornamental mirror (valkannadi) around the fruits to complete the arrangement.
Arranging the Vishu Kani:
To arrange the Vishu Kani traditionally, follow these steps:
Clean the Space: Start by cleaning the home and surroundings to create a sacred and auspicious environment.
Set Up the Krishna Idol:
Place a statue or picture of Lord Krishna at the center of the arrangement.
Decorate the idol with jasmine flowers and ensure no shadow falls on it.
Prepare the Brass Vessel (Uruli):
Clean the vessel thoroughly.
Fill it partially with raw rice or paddy as the base layer.
Arrange Fruits and Vegetables:
Place a golden cucumber (kani vellari) prominently.
Add bananas (kadali variety), jackfruit, mangoes, and other seasonal fruits symmetrically.
Include Split Coconut: Place both halves of a split coconut alongside the fruits.
Add Decorative Items:
Include an ornamental mirror (valkannadi), preferably an Aranmula valkannadi.
Position gold coins, jewelry, and a new kasavu mundu (traditional Kerala cloth).
Incorporate Sacred Elements:
Place holy scriptures like Ramayana or Bhagavad Gita.
Add vermilion (sindoor), kohl (kajal), betel leaves, areca nuts, and incense sticks.
Use Kanikonna Flowers: Adorn the arrangement with golden shower flowers (kanikonna), which bloom around Vishu.
Add Seeds and Water:
Keep nine different seeds (navadhanya) in a pitcher for sowing after Vishu.
Place clean water in a pitcher or kolambi near the arrangement.
Light the Lamp:
Finally, clean and light a traditional oil lamp (nilavilakku) with five wicks to complete the setup.
This arrangement should be prepared the night before Vishu to be viewed first thing in the morning for auspicious blessings.
Rituals and traditions after setting up the Vishu Kani:
After setting up the Vishu Kani, there are specific rituals and traditions to follow to ensure the celebration is auspiciousThese rituals help reinforce the cultural significance of Vishu and ensure a joyous start to the Malayalam New Year.
Viewing the Vishu Kani:
Wake up early on Vishu morning, ideally before sunrise.
Family members are led to the Vishu Kani with their eyes covered and guided to view it as the first sight of the day. This is believed to bring prosperity and happiness throughout the year.
Lighting the Lamp:
Light the oil lamp (Nilavilakku) placed near the Kani arrangement. The glowing light enhances the auspiciousness of the moment.
Offering Prayers:
Pray to Lord Krishna or Vishnu, seeking blessings for a prosperous year.
Chant mantras or recite verses from sacred texts like the Bhagavad Gita or Ramayana kept in the arrangement.
Distribution of Vishukkaineettam:
Elders give money or gifts (Vishukkaineettam) to younger family members as a gesture of goodwill and blessings.
Sowing Seeds:
Farmers traditionally sow the nine different seeds (Navadhanya) kept near the Kani after viewing it, symbolizing new beginnings and abundance.
Temple Visit:
Visit nearby temples to offer prayers and seek divine blessings for the year ahead.
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If You are someone looking for a particular Puja to be performed and looking for services that perform Authentic Pujas with Experienced Pandits then, look no further, LifeGuru provides the most authentic Mandir Puja services, and the best part is that you can get the Puja performed remotely. On completion of the Puja, you will receive a personalized video of the puja being performed in your name and gotra and you also get the prasad delivered to your doorstep free of cost!
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