Vishu ( Malayalam New Year) Spread!

This Year  Vishu was on the 15th of April. I had some friends over for the Kerala feast that day. I had onion pakoda, banana and jackfruit chips with kalamansi lime soda for starters...this was followed by lunch...avial, veg stew, broad beans veggie, salad (mango, cucumber n moong dal), rice, sambar, rasam, kerala papadam and ofcourse the yummiest of all...pal payasam..!!

Also had made some authentic pickles like puli inchi, raw mango instant pickle and mango ginger pickle...

We all ate to our stomachs fill and to finished it off with a strong cup of southie coffee(to avoid dozing off after the sumptuous meal!)

The Spread...

The pickles..

For Vishu the main ritual that is performed is in the early morning. I decorated some flowers esp yellow kani flowers, pulses, rice, salt, coconut, veggies, fruits, gold, pudu panam(panch dantu which is given at the time of wedding!) and currency notes in front of a big mirror.... for viewing the reflection of decorations first thing in the morning... in the morning, I lit the lamp and woke up my husband and kids and brought them to the temple n decorations with their eyes closed...so that they see it first thing ..!  All the youngsters are  then given some money with blessings...(one of the reasons why all kids remember this festival very well!!).. Its fascinating that we all have such unique festivals celebrated in different parts of India, each having its own significance, according to the climate, harvest or  based on epic tales, each so colourful.... coming with its own set of rituals and yum food items..! i havent given any recipes here as there are too many items...also they are very traditional...ones you would find easily on the net...nevertheless pl feel free to ask for them, will pass it o you...happy reading...raji.