14th April: Happy Vishu | History & Significance

Vishu is celebrated in Kerala as it marks the beginning of the new year. It is also celebrated in the Tulu region in Karnataka. It is the first day of the month of Medam. The festival is being celebrated on Tuesday i.e. April 14 this year. People wish their friends and families on this occasion. Delicacies prepared, new clothes are worn by people to celebrate it with more vigour. Lord Vishnu’s Krishna avatar is specifically worshipped on this day. It is believed that Lord Krishna killed the demon.

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Other names for Vishu

It is called Vishu in Malayalam. This day is celebrated with different names in the country. In Assam, people call it Bihu and in Punjab, it is known as Baisakhi. Similarly, people in Tamil Nadu celebrate it as Puthendu and as Vishua Sankranti in Orissa.

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Mythological Tales

Several mythological tales are related to the celebration of Vishu; and as per one such story, Vishu is the day when Lord Krishna killed Narakasura a demon. As per another belief, Vishu is celebrated as the return of Surya Dev. According to the other folklores Ravana demon king, never allowed Surya Dev or the Sun God to rise from the east. It was on the day of Vishu, after the death of Ravana, the sun or Surya Dev started to rise from the east. Since then, Vishu is celebrated with great zeal.

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Significance of Vishu

In Sanskrit, Vishu means equal, which implies the day with an equal number of hours of day and night or the equinox. The day of Mesha Sankranti or Mesha Sankramam, Vishu is a family festival. It is a period dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is celebrated by worshipping Lord Vishnu and Lord Krishna. Vishu Kani, Vishu Kaineettam, and Vishubhalam are the three most important aspects of the Vishu celebrations.