In the state of Kerala, Mesha Sankranthi is celebrated as Vishu, though it is not traditionally celebrated as New Year in the Malayalam Calendar. According to Malayalam Calendar, the New Year starts on the first day of Chingam. However, people in the Malabar area and some other parts of Kerala consider Vishu as the astronomical New Year.
Vishu is celebrated with much festivity and enthusiasm in all parts of Kerala. Vishu Kani is the most important event in Vishu. Vishu Kani is a ritual which involves seeing the most auspicious thing at early morning on the Vishu day, which is believed to bring luck throughout the year.
Another famous ritual is Vishukkaineetam, which involves gifting money to children, relatives, servants and tenants by the elders of the family to share the happiness of the day.
Vishu is also a day of feast. The foods consist of delicious meals as well as equal proportions of salty, sweet, sour and bitter items. Some of the special items are Vishu kanji, Thoran, and Vishu kata. The delicacies also include Veppampoorasam, which is a bitter preparation of neem, and Mampazhapulissery, a sour and tasty mango soup.
