Vishu

After a long break its good to be back again. What better time to start than Vishu! Wishing all our readers and fellow bloggers a happy vishu/puthandu vazhtukal.

Vishu is the Malayalam New Year day, marking the start of the harvest season. There are a lot of customs associated with Vishu. More information about Vishu can be found here.


Vishu falls during the summer vacation in India and its so much fun with all the kids around. It has always been one of my favorite festival as we cousins used to gather at our grandparents place to celebrate it. In the pooja room a elaborate Vishu Kani would be set with all the vegetables and fruits of the season and the beautiful 'kanikonna'. Early morning patiyamma (grandmother) would wake us and closing our eyes would lead us to see the kani. And of course we would get a lot of 'kaineetam' from our uncles and aunts ;).

Then the best part would be the sadhya which is a elaborate vegetarian meal served on plantain leaf. Dishes are usually prepared from jackfruits, mangoes, pumpkins, and gourds besides other vegetables and fruits, which are in plenty at that time of the season. Here are some of the items that are traditionally served.

Manga Kootan/ Mango Curry
Inji Puli (Recipe coming soon)
Olan
Aviyal
Erissery
Thoran
Koottu
Sambar
Pachchadi
Rasam
Prathaman
Nendran Chips/ Banana Chips
Sharkara varatti/ Sharkara upperi
Pickle
Pappadam