CHENNAI: A Vishukani Darshan will be conducted on April 14 at the Ayyapan Guruvayur Temple in Mahalingapuram.Vishu is a Hindu festival celebrated in Kerala and the Mangalore/Udupi districts of Karnataka, usually during the second week of April. It represents the vernal equinox and signifies the beginning of the new year. Vishu in Sanskrit means ‘equal’. The most important event in Vishu is the vishukani. The tradition entails waking up at dawn and going to the pooja room with eyes closed, so that the vishukkani is the first thing they see.The vishukkani consists of a ritual arrangement of auspicious items like raw rice, fresh lemon, golden cucumber, betel leaves, areca nut, a metal mirror, yellow flowers (konna), and a holy text and coins, placed in a bell metal vessel called an uruli in the puja room of the house.Vishu sadhya (food) and fireworks for the children constitute a major part of the celebration. Special poojas are conducted in all temples in the state of Kerala and a similar tradition will be followed in the Mahalingapuram temple here in the city.The first darshan will begin at 4 am, and devotees will be given a laddoo and a rupee coin to symbolise kaineetam, a Vishu tradition in which the elders of the family give money to the younger ones. A Karpoora Jyothi Darshanam will be held at 6.45 pm. A Pushpabishekam for Lord Ayyapan will be held at 9 pm.
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