Vishu 2020: Date, Significance Of Vishukanni And Celebrations Associated With The Kerala New Year

The annual celebration of Vishu is an important day for every Hindu Keralite. Vishu celebrations take place on the first day of the Malayalam month Medam (mid-April), and it is considered as the beginning of a new year by many. Vishu 2020 falls on April 14 and will be celebrated across the world. While the extent of the celebration will scale down with the continuation of coronavirus lockdown in India and various other parts of the world, the significance of this day remains constant through it all. Malayalis wish each other saying Vishu Ashamsakal which means 'Happy Vishu' in Malayalam. The most important part of Vishu celebration, apart from spending quality time with family, has to be the preparation of VishuKanni. It is traditionally a decorated platter of fruits, vegetables, jewels and wealth that is placed before a mirror. It is customary for people to wake up early and look into the mirror to see their face with the reflection of all the wealth and food, which signifies the beginning of better, more hopeful times which is filled with prosperity.