The people of KERALA celebrate their Harvest festival and New Year called VISHU. This occasion signifies the sun's transit into the Meda Raasi (first zodiac sign).This year it falls on April 14.
It is one of traditional festival of Kerala which everybody celebrates. In other parts of India it is celebrated as Bisu in Karnataka, Baishaki in Punjab, Bihu in Assam Naba Barsha in Bengal and Tamil Nadu as Tamil Puthandu.
Traditional people of Kerala celebrated Vishu with lot of joy and mirth. One very interesting custom of Vishu is Vishukani or Kani Kanal (first sight). Under this tradition there is a prescribed list of items that people see first thing on a Vishu morning. The custom stems from the strong belief of the people of Kerala that good things seen on the New Year day brings good luck for the entire year. Ladies of the house make preparation for Vishukani on a previous night. They would keep prescribed items including a cadjan leaf book, gold ornaments, fresh white cloth, a measure of rice or paddy, flowers of the Konna tree (Cussia fistula), halved jack fruits, halved coconuts and yellow cucumber in a big pot. Behind this pot is kept the bell metal mirror and a garlanded deity of Lord Krishna. Master of the house is the first person to take a look at auspicious things. Children are brought blind folded from their rooms to watch Vishukani. Many people in Kerala prefer to perform Vishukani in temples.
Children are given gifts or small amount of cash on the Vishu Day in a belief that it ensures prosperity for children. This tradition is called Vishu Kaineetam.
To celebrate the auspicious festival , people of Kerala wear kodi vastram (new clothes). People sing, dance and make merry. Firecrackers are also burst to mark the New Year day. Another attractive feature of the festival is the grand sadya (feast) prepared by the ladies of the house. Special dishes are prepared using mangoes, pumpkins and gourd besides other seasonal vegetables and fruits. Characteristic feature of a Vishu meal is that the food items consist of roughly equal proportions of salty, sweet, sour and bitter items. Popular feast dishes include ‘Mampazhapachadi' (a sour mango soup) and Mampazhapulisseri ( a sweet & sour yoghurt/curd based mango curry) .
For this Vishu, Swaadhisht restaurant at Little India, serving Vishu feast, with mouth-watering traditional items with the fragrances of traditional Kerala dishes. Swaadhist planning to serve the traditional Vishu feast consist of more than 20 items including Mampazha pulisseri, and Unniyappam. Swaadhist’s owner Mrs. Bindhu is confident that “Vishu Sadya” (feast) at Swaadhisht will be an everlasting experience, and will takes one back in time celebrating Vishu in grand with their family and friends.
Vishu Feast will be served on April 14th, and Swaadhisht welcomes all food lovers in Singapore to savour its delicious feast.
Please contact for booking and order : Swadhisht, 47 Chandar Road, Little India Conservation Area, Singapore Tel: 6392 0513 / 9880 1680
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