2012 Vishu and Easter celebrations

Memphis Malayalees celebrated 2012 Vishu Easter at ‘Singleton Community Center’ on April 14th, Saturday. The program started at 10am and concluded by 4pm.

When: 2012 April 14th, Saturday

Where:
Singleton Community Center
7266 Third Road
Bartlett TN 38135
Ph: 901.385.5593
Organizers:
Balaji & Radha
Dileep & Sneha
Manoj & Sunita
Shaiju & Aneesha

Easter is the celebration of Jesus resurrection after death according to Christian faith. Christians all over the world believe that Jesus is the son of God who came to this world 2012 years ago and then got crucified by roman soldiers at Golgotha which is a place on a hillock in the outskirts of Jerusalem in the current country of Israel. In the modern era, Christians prepare for Easter with a forty day period of fasting, prayer and penance. This period is called Lent and its last week is called Holy Week containing Good Friday commemorating the crucifixion and death of Jesus. On the Sunday immediately after Good Friday is Easter.
 
Easter is a moveable feast, meaning it is not fixed in relation to English Calendar. The date of Easter is the first Sunday after the full moon following the northern hemisphere’s equinox. The date of Easter therefore varies between March 22 and April 25.
 

Vishu -In Kerala, the start of the Zodiac New Year, when the sun enters into Sidereal Aries, Ashwini nakshatra – is celebrated as Vishu. It is said that what one sees when one first opens one’s eyes on Vishu morning is an indication of what one can expect in the year to come. Thus on Vishu, effort is made to assure one opens one’s eyes before an auspicious image – the Vishukkani.
The Vishukkani is a panorama of auspicious items, including images of Lord Vishnu, flowers, fruits and vegetables, clothes and gold coins.

Lord Vishnu, head of Kaala Purusha, the God of Time, is the aspect of the Paramatman that is focused upon during Vishu. As Vishu marks the first day of the Zodiac New Year, it is an appropriate time to give offerings to Lord Vishnu.
Vishukkani points to a year of abundance-both spiritually and materially. Food, light, money, knowledge -all should fill our life. Taking in the Vishukkani we should pray that the vision remains with us throughout the year. It is not enough that the joy we take from viewing the Vishukkani comes only to our eyes. It must reflect in our thoughts and in our actions. The auspicious start of the year is not for us alone. It is up to us to spread this love, happiness and hope to the rest of society.