Vishu is the astronomical New Year of Kerala (and neighbouring Tulu and Tamil areas), marking the sun's entry into Aries and the first day of the Malayalam month of Medam, around 14 April, the same solar new year kept as Baisakhi, Pohela Boishakh and Puthandu across India. Its defining custom is the Vishukkani, the "first sight of Vishu": an arrangement of auspicious things, the golden konna flowers (Cassia fistula), rice, fruit and vegetables, gold, coins, a mirror, cloth and an image of Krishna, all set out before a lamp the night before, so that it is the first thing seen on waking on Vishu morning. The belief is that the year will follow the character of what one first sees, so the sight is composed to ensure a year of prosperity, plenty and blessing.
The morning's viewing is followed by Vishukkaineettam, the giving of coins or money by elders to the young and to dependents, and by a great feast (sadya); firecrackers and new clothes belong to the day. As a solar rather than lunar new year, Vishu is tied to the agricultural cycle and the coming of the harvest season, and its central rite, the careful arrangement of the first thing the eye will fall upon, is one of the most charming expressions in the Hindu calendar of the wish to begin the year under the sign of abundance.