Thousands of Kochiites celebrated Vishu festival in traditional fervour with the day beginning with the ‘ vishukani ’ in most households.
Family members watched the elaborately arranged ‘ kani ’ believed to usher in prosperity and wellness in the year ahead. Elders offered cash and gifts as ‘ vishukaineettom ’ to the younger members.
People also witnessed gold ornaments, fresh white cloth, kanikkonna (golden shower flowers), gold coloured cucumber, golden mangoes, plantains, jackfruit, coconuts and valkannadi (mirror with handle) adorned in bell metal vessel called uruli with a figure of Lord Krishna. Lamps were lit in the two halves of the coconut as well as the traditional lamp ( nilavilaku ) in what is called the Brahmamuhurtam between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m.
Hundreds of devotees thronged temples in the city on Friday morning to catch a glimpse of ‘ Vishukkani '. Special prayers were held on the occasion in temples across the district. The Sri Krishna temples at Ravipuram and South Chittoor, Ernakulathappan Temple and Chottanikkara Devi Temple witnessed long queues from early morning.
Several caterers in the city had come up with Vishu sadya offers. Hundreds preferred to stay away from their kitchens and relished the delicacies of ‘readymade sadya ’. Several people were seen queuing up in front of catering units in the city. Catering group owners said that the rush for Vishu sadya had gone up this year.
Movie buffs celebrated the day watching their favourite stars on screen. Fans of actors Mohanlal, Jayaram, and Dileep were happy to see the trio perform in 'China Town' directed by Rafi-Mecartin. Mamootty fans thronged cinemas and multiplexes where his Vishu release ‘Doubles’ was screened.
