Golden Shower Flowers On Stamps-The Flowers Which Mark Start Of Vishu

 

Today is Vishu - The Start Of New Year In The Indian State Of Kerala

Cassia fistula, known as the Golden Shower Tree is a flowering plant in the family Fabaceae,  Cassia Fistula is the national tree of Thailand and its flower is Thailand's national flower. It is also the state tree and state flower of Kerala in India and of immense importance during Vishu. It is a popular ornamental plant and is an herbal medicine.

The Malayalam festival of 'Vishu' falls on the first day of the Malayalam month 'Medam' (Aries) which is the astronomical New Year day for the people of the region of Kerala. The New Year Day is considered  to be auspicious  to start new ventures. It’s a firm belief among the malayalees that, the first thing that one sees on waking up on Vishu day is indicative of the New Year's prosperity. Thus 'Vishukkani' (the first thing seen on Vishu day) has become a ritual of great importance here.The Golden shower flowers (cassia fistula) are important part of “Vishukanni”

Thailand-Canada Joint Issue Featuring Golden Showers Flowers

The belief among the Malayalis is that the fortunes for the year depend upon the nature of the object one sees first in the morning of Vishu Day. They decorate the house and prepare for the occasion . Rawrice is put in a circular bell-metal vessel known as 'Urule' and over it a folded newly washed cloth is spread. A golden colored cucumber, betel leaves, betel nuts, metal mirror, yellow flowers of Golden Showers tree (cassia fistula), a Grandha (book of palm leaves) and a few gold coins are then placed over the cloth in the vessel.

Early in the morning of the Vishu, one of the members of the house, usually the eldest female member,  lights the lamp and looks at 'Kani' .She wakes up other members, one after another and the Kani is shown to everyone of them,taking particular care not to allow anyone to look by chance at other things.

Canada Miniature Stamp Sheet Showing The Vishu Flowers From The Golden Shower Tree

Integral part of Vishu is Kaineetom.The eldest member of the family takes some silver coins and gives them to children  with some raw rice and The Golden Shower flowers. After this the children begin to firecrackers.

After bath ,people put on their forehead the marks of sandal paste and go to the temple for prayers.After worship, they prepare a feast which is moderate and elegant.

In certain parts of Kerala, where the paddy cultivation commences after the monsoon, there is an observance called chal (Furrow) closely associated with Vishu . This is marks the auspicious commencement of the agricultural operations, in the new year

A Definitive Stamp On Amaltaas Released By India Post.The Golden Showers Flowers are also known by the name “Amaltaas”

Cassia Fistula Mini Stamp Sheetlet From Thailand Released In The Year 2003

First Cover Released By Canada Post Featuring Maple Leaves Of Canada And The Golden Showers Stamp Of Thailand

Thailand FDC With Flowers Of Golden Showers Tree With Pictorial Cancellation Of Cassia fistula

 

Map Of Kerala Where The Festival Of Vishu Is Celebrated

• Lovely Plants Website About Golden Shower Tree :Click Here
• Kerala Tourism Website : Click Here