A quick explanation of what Vishu is -  a couple of you asked me what it is and here it is - if I have missed something please feel free to add.

Simbly put Vishu is the New Year of the Malayalees - No I correct myself -  interestingly enough
April 14, the date that Vishu falls is also the New Year day for the Bengali's and also for the People ofAssam who call it Bihu ( look at the semblance of the names - Bihu and Vishu - In Punjab, April 14th is celebratedas Baishaki.   I am sure ilanders from Assam, Punjab and Bengal will let me know if I have not statedthe facts correctly.

The night before Vishu - the elders place before the Divine - offerings such as Cucumbers, Raw mangoes,Coconuts, Rice, fruits, Coins, Betel Leaves, flowers (generally it is a yellow flower
that goes by the name of Konna - ( a laburnum type)etc.  Each household offerings vary a little bit.
A mirror is also placed facing the entrance to the Puja room.

Early in the morning - the eldest member of the household will light the lamp in the Puja room and
then wake up the younger ones (age is the pecking order here).  He or she will make sure that each member's eyes are closed and bring them one by one to the puja room and stand them in front of the lamp, facing the mirror and the gods and ask them to open their eyes.

Trust me- to me it has always invoked an awe inspiring sight  -however simple or grand the offerings placed are.
The darkness, punctuated by the light of the lamp, which casts its soft glow over the offerings and everyone in the room - that feeling is hard to convey in words. 

After every member of the household has had their view of the offerings (Vishu Kani -as it is called - comes the moment that the youngsters have been waiting for ( getting money or Vishu Kai Neettam- as it is called)

The elders then hand out money to the younger ones.  While growing up - the amounts were not very substantial -  in today's standards- the amount we used to get were you could call a pittance - but it was exciting for us. Then ofcourse came the other favorite part - the feast.

That is a nutshell is Vishu -

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(The picture - courtsey the web)