Happy Vishu, everyone! For the first time in my life, I kept the Vishu Kani. It was a lot of fun as Pinch and I rushed all through last evening trying to get everything ready. We got the coconuts, could not find vellarikka, substituted with yellow squash instead, couldn’t find konna poovu and picked up the closest looking yellow flowers instead. Got all my jewellery out, vacuumed the place at 10 pm and finally off to bed at 11 pm only to wake up at 5:15 am to light the lamps… and it looked so beautiful! Still looks wonderful… and I think I am going to spend the entire day just refilling the oil in all the lamps…:-)
x-posted to kerala
on9thheaven says:
Happy Vishu to you and Pinch too.
This is so beautiful… btw, I have a similiar lamp a friend gifted me. He is Tamil. I just love it.
And that earthern pot – reminds me of childhood – mom used to make curds in that and make buttermilk in it. *nostalgic*
April 14, 2006 — 7:29 am
Lakshmi says:
Thanks, P!
That earthen pot – we actually got it from an artefacts place in B’bay. It is made of porcelain (I guess) and has prints of V T Railway Station along the side. Quite cool!
The large lamp – that’s the most beautiful thing in our home!
April 14, 2006 — 8:25 am
lalunadiosa says:
Happy vishu babes….
It all looks so pretty….thanx for brightening this awful gloomy cloudy Ithaca day!!!
April 14, 2006 — 8:20 am
Lakshmi says:
Thanks, Yasho.
Atlanta is the loveliest today – blue skies, sunny day, is wonderful!
April 14, 2006 — 8:26 am
on9thheaven says:
Hey we can boast of that too – 75, sunny, light breeze – ah a lovely spring day in MN!!!
April 14, 2006 — 8:50 am
notanangel78 says:
Happy Vishu:)
Looks lovely.
April 14, 2006 — 8:25 am
Lakshmi says:
Thanks, Roo-chi.
April 14, 2006 — 8:27 am
rparvaaz says:
Happy Vishu to Pinch and you. 🙂
The photos are lovely.
April 14, 2006 — 8:38 am
Lakshmi says:
Thanks, Ritu.
April 14, 2006 — 10:33 am
iswari says:
That’s truly lovely! Happy Vishu! =)
April 14, 2006 — 9:22 am
Lakshmi says:
Thanks!
April 14, 2006 — 10:33 am
gaia_child says:
Beautiful photos, lovely altars. 🙂
I’ve read about Vishu celebrations on the net, it’s something like Spring Equinox, isn’t it?
April 14, 2006 — 9:34 am
Lakshmi says:
It’s called the vernal equinox and it is the day on which the sun enters the sun sign Aries of the zodiac. The month in which the sun enters this sign is considered the first month of the year and so we celebrate this day as the New Year.
April 14, 2006 — 10:37 am
gleefulfreak says:
that’s beautiful! thanks for posting it. 🙂
April 14, 2006 — 9:56 am
Lakshmi says:
My pleasure…:-)
April 14, 2006 — 10:38 am
nithya says:
happy visu to u and pinch babe…
we guys have the tamil new years happening today too…
the pictures reminded me of home and familiar festival scents that come from every home …
though I am a complete astheist i enjoy festivals for their colors however small or grandiose… and whole thing about family being together .. dressing up for the occassion… have fun
April 14, 2006 — 10:16 am
Lakshmi says:
Wish you a happy New Year too, sweetie.. and may this year bring you lots of joy, laughter and love!
April 14, 2006 — 10:39 am
ruchikapoor says:
OMG you’re an atheist too? Not that they’re THAT rare, but still….quite a minority, and I always feel great running into one! I think the no. of atheist friends I’ve ever had would be around…5. MAX, that is.
Happy Vishu to you and Pinch, Locks! The pics look great. Could you tell me the significance of the jewellery? My Mal friends never told me about that when they described Vishu celebrations….
April 14, 2006 — 5:56 pm
arunshanbhag says:
Happy Vishu to you and pinch!
Beautiful arrangements!
… and you have beautiful jewellery :-))
Have a great evening and hope the new year is fabulous!
April 14, 2006 — 10:44 am
Lakshmi says:
Thanks, Arun…:-)
It was great fun putting it together and yes, it looks wonderful, even if I say so!
April 14, 2006 — 10:50 am
parag says:
Happy Vishu, L!
Your jewellery looks fantastic. Love the Conch. I need one like that at my home too. It will be fun to teach Ashwini to blow it.
BTW, wasn’t vernal equinox a couple of weeks ago (21st march)? There must be something else factored in the definition of date for Vishu? Is it always on Full Moon day?
April 14, 2006 — 11:37 am
Lakshmi says:
Thanks, Parag.
I got the conch from Bombay. Both of us have tried to blow it but no success yet..:-(
Hmm, about the verna equinox, I must get my facts cleared. However, I am sure that this is the day the sun enters the sign of Aries.
April 14, 2006 — 11:45 am
srusrid says:
Wishing you a very very happy happy new year!
Sridhar is here (finally!!) so the world does seem a beautiful place!
April 14, 2006 — 6:04 pm
Lakshmi says:
You too, Sru.
How long is Sridhar gonna be in CT? For good?
April 16, 2006 — 9:31 am
srusrid says:
No re..
He’s going back to India on the 29th 🙂
Me too will follow suit soon!!
April 16, 2006 — 11:39 am
Lakshmi says:
Good for you!!!
Am really happy for you, Sru.
April 17, 2006 — 12:21 pm
goofy_duck2004 says:
Happy Vishu to you and Pinch, Lakshmi. Wishing you both a year filled with love n laughter.
I like the arrangements and your jewellery, like evey one else here. Festivals have a way of bringing us closer to home – i love the feeling. Did you wear the traditional saree too – atleast in the evening?
April 14, 2006 — 7:38 pm
Lakshmi says:
Thanks, Manju. Didn’t wear the traditional set-mundu though I do have a couple at home… Maybe I should wear them next year!
April 16, 2006 — 9:32 am
Anonymous says:
vishudina asamsakal !!
why am i not able to see the much talked about pics of your kani??
April 15, 2006 — 12:08 am
Lakshmi says:
You should be able to see them. They’re right here, uploaded to this page.
Wish you a happy Vishu as well!
April 16, 2006 — 9:32 am
kookygoblin says:
Happy Vishu 🙂
April 15, 2006 — 1:51 am
Lakshmi says:
Wish you the same, Aditi. Congrats, Geetu told me the good news..:-)
*beaming*
April 16, 2006 — 9:33 am
sizzlingtree says:
Nice pics. As for the Rajkumar comment, dont apologize for finding it funny 😀
April 15, 2006 — 10:00 am
Lakshmi says:
Thanks…:-)
April 16, 2006 — 9:33 am
Lakshmi says:
Thanks, Indukutty.
Wish you a belated Vishu as well!
April 16, 2006 — 9:33 am
jonquille_s says:
A little late here….But Happy Vishu to U anyways!!
Love the pics. I kept “Vishu Kani” last year in my house for the first time. This time I went to Mom’s coz Friday was a holiday. Like you even I couldnt find the flowers and used “jamandi” instead..hee hee
April 16, 2006 — 11:38 pm
Lakshmi says:
Thanks…:-)
These flowers served as good substitutes, I think.
April 24, 2006 — 2:28 pm
Lakshmi says:
Thanks…:-)
I have heard about the mirror but for some reason, my Mom never used to keep it as part of the Kani. Maybe I’ll incorporate it starting next year.
Hope that little Om is doing great as are the two of you…:-)
April 24, 2006 — 2:29 pm