THE HISTORY OF VISHU

Vishu is a new year festival celebrated in the state of Kerala, India. It is similar to the New Year festivals observed elsewhere in India like Baisakhi(Punjab), Bihu(Assam), Naba Barsha(Bengal), Bisu (Tulu Nadu region in Karnataka) and Puthandu(Tamil Nadu). Vishu generally falls on April 14 of the Gregorian calendar. This occasion signifies the Sun’s transit to the zodiac – Mesha Raasi (first zodiac sign) as per Indian astrological calculations and astronomically represents the vernal equinox. “Vishu” in Sanskrit means “equal”. Therefore Vishu is more probably denoting one of the equinox days. Although Vishu (first of Medam) is the astrological new year day of Kerala, the official Malayalam new year falls on the first month of Chingam (August – September). However, 1st of Chingam has no significance either astrologically or astronomically. Chingam is the harvest season in Kerala and southern parts of coastal Karnataka.