Well, Vishu is celebrated every year on the 14th of April. The celebrations are rather sober.....The previous night, a big plate is placed in the puja arena and filled with an assortment of fruits and a couple of vegetables, rice, pulses, money, gold/jewellery and all of these are arranged in such a way that they are reflected in a mirror. Among the things adorning the plate are usually apples,oranges, mangoes (raw and ripe), tomatoes, a snake-gourd, jackfruit, grapes and bananas plus a bowl of rice, dals, some gold/silver and money in the form of coins and notes. The morning of Vishu, we walk blindfolded (as in, with eyes closed) and the first thing that we look into is the plate. The idea is to usher in the new year by first looking at things that please the eyes........it's like this!
You look at all those pulses/rice grains and ask god to give you enough of them to last the year. The fruits/vegetables are a luxury you further seek. And the money and gold are pleasures and richness, fortune and luck that we wish befall us in the year to come! Looking at oneself in the mirror renews the faith that one has in oneself and signals the fact that "Each person is special in this world in their own special way" and that "Everyone of us is one of the beautiful creations of God"!!!! It's all about pleasing the senses in the light of a new dawn that is expected to bring with it new hopes, dreams and opportunities! On this day, people usually wear new clothes as the day is auspicious, new beginnings are made and people visit the temple! (I did, too!) On this day, the elder members of the household give some money to all the younger members as a token gift......
The rest of the celebrations associated with Vishu are in the feast.....there is nothing particular that is to be made or consumed.....just anything that one considers special for the occasion! A sweet dish is a given item on the menu!
So that's about Vishu.....it's celebration time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! For me, more than anything, its the spirit of the festival that is exciting...the prospect of actually spending a few moments early in the morning looking at some of the things that we ordinarily wouldn't so much as glance at, to appreciate the goodness of the little things in life and to thank God for each new day!!!! So, Happy New Year once again friends!!!
While at beauty, let me have the honour of presenting my thoughts on true beauty embodied in this poem of mine!!! Hope you like it!!
TRUE BEAUTY
We speak of beauty
As though it's a commodity;
We see beauty in the seas and skies
We also speak of beauty in the face and eyes!
But when we use the term beauty,
With so much variety and diversity;
I doubt whether we really realize
What beauty truly signifies!
When we speak of beautiful faces
We may be pointing at those
Who have striking features
Like hazel eyes and a chiselled nose!
Beauty is often equated with good looks
Like a svelte frame and silky locks
Sadly, the term fails to permeate
That treasure which is innate!
When we speak of the seas and skies
And rains and rainbows
Or thrushes, robins and magpies
And pigeons and crows,
We say that they are replete
With beauty of a kind
That appeals to all the senses
And brings joy to the mind!
What does this imply?
What am I trying to say?
I'm convinced that true beauty
Lasts for longer than a day!
Beauty is not that
Which catches the eye
It is that which penetrates the mind
And gives you a high!
Beauty is not just looks
That would be just pretty
But beauty is more than that
It's a heart of gold and a glimmer in the eye!
It is free-flowing love and compassion
Towards everybody
That makes a person appear beautiful
To all and sundry!
Beauty is that which gives joy
Beauty induces the mind's eye
Beauty satiates all the senses
Beauty is a part of life
Beauty exists in everybody, waiting to show
Beauty is self-evident, in the facial glow
Beauty revels and happiness brings
In all of life's littlest things!!!!
Hope we are all able to spot the beauty in all we see and appreciate it as a means to eternal happiness!!!!!
Tally-ho!!
