Waiting for another vishu...

Vishu kani was prepared by me. Before the 'Kani vekka' we have to clean all the items in the pooja room. All the photos, vessels and books have to be cleaned.
The first thing in the kani is the 'Ottu uruli' this is from my mother in law. This is open mouthed circular vessel made of bell metal. Its large size is used in sadya and known as 'Varpu'. Then we place some 'Unakkalari' in the uruli. Then a kanivellari, coconut, fruits and all vegetables. In another brass plate we have to arrange a kasavu pudava, a mirror, kunkum cheppu, kanmazhi, nellu and some coins( if we have aranmula kannadi it can be used). We have to place a bit of gold and silver in kani. We can use flowers kanikkonna is a must. We have to place bhagawatha and Ramayana which also a part of Kani. All this must be placed in front of Krishna and we can lit as many lamps. All this form a golden hue to the kani.

Every celebration has a chain of memory associated with it. When I think of Vishu its my mother's. Cleaning the house, preparing the vishu kani and giving Kaineettam. After the marriage I had learnt how to make a vishu kani. I will be the first one to see the kani. I really enjoy the amazing little eyes and the innocent questions about vishu. But I know the time is passing and the characters will change but there will be still krishna, konnappoo, uruli and every auspicious objects waiting for their turn.....

Our family friend from Thrissur side had given me 'Vishu katta' a special preparation for Vishu.

Recipe of Vishu katta from Curry World.

A touching story from a blogger

Kerala has a lot of traditional events. When I started blogging I became curious to collect images of some of events and to study the mythology behind them. I am listing some of the events from my previous posts...I think it may be useful to you...

Images of Ochira Kalakettu

Images and story of Neelam peroor Pooram Padayani

Thai pooya kavadiyattam from Perunna

Garudan thookkam from Thalayola parambu

Thrithayambaka from Mattannur Shankaran Kutty

Athachamayam from Thripunithura

Chambakkara vallm kali

Kanikkonna

Konnappoo

Kanikkonna flowers welcoming vishu

Kanikkonna tree images from Kunnara Park, Kochi. Traditionally this tree is known as 'Rajavrikham'.

Kanikkonna flower

Bunch of Kanikkonna

A seasonal flower which is connected with the 'Vishu' harvest festival of Kerala. Like Onam Vishu has also strong links with nature. We need Kanivellari, Kanikkonna and other vegetables for the sacred 'Kani'. Kanikkonna is the official flower of Kerala state.
My neighbour's Konna tree remembers me of Vishu with full of flowers. Yesterday we went to Kunnara park. There are so many Konna trees. Kanikkonna is the favourite flower of Krishna. Yellow colour brings more happiness and prosperity thus it became an inevitable part of our Vishu. Kanikkonna is known as Golden shower tree. It is a shade giving ornamental tree wide spread in Kerala. Its stem and fruits are used in Ayurvedic medicines. Other varieties of kanikkonna are vellakkonna, chaarakkonna and manja konna.

You may be interested to know about

• Nalumani poovu
• Kallimul chedi (Cactus) with flowers
• Elathottam(cardamom Plantation)

High range views

Kanikkonna remembers Vishu and Unnikkannan. A legend exists about this yellow flower. Guruvyurappan throw his Aranjanam(waist band) these flowers are sprouted from that oranament. It is an essential flower for the Vishu festival. It is a medicinal plant also.

Kanakambaram-flowers without fragrance. It is a flower crop in south India. It is used with Jasmine to decorate hair or making garlands. These flowers are tied with Jasmine flowers(mulla) to wear in the hair. Another variety has a dark orange colour. A very common and beautiful flower from South India.

Chembarathi poove chollu devane nee kando ....

Kongini-mixing of colours by nature in a pretty way. These can be found in white, pink and violet.

Shavamnari. The flowers have a bad smell so the name Shavam nari(the smell of corpse). The flower is used in Ayurvedic medicines. Its stem leaves and roots are used to prepare medicine. Its an effective medicine for leukemia, breast cancer and skin cancer.

chethi mandaram thulasi pichaka malakal charthi guruvayoorappa ninne kani kanenam....

Chembarathi -White hibiscus.

A white flower without smell-views from Thookkupalam, Idukki

Bandi poo- Orange and yellow mixtures with an ugly smell. This flower has great demand during Onam days to make Onapookkalam(Flower arrangement in front of the house to welcome Mahabali).

Rose(pani neer rose)