Vishu (Malayalam:വിഷു)
is a festival held in the state of Kerala
in South India (and malayali's and Palakkad tamils in adjoining areas of
Karnataka and Tamil Nadu). Similar festivals are celebrated in
Punjab and Assam, in India, around the first day
in the Malayalam Month of Medam (April – May).
Vishu follows the sidereal vernal equinox and generally falls on April 14
of the Gregorian year. This occasion signifies
the Sun's transit to the zodiac - Mesha Raasi
(first zodiac sign) as per Indian astrological calculations.
Vishu is also considered as the harvest festival of
Kerala and thus the importance of this day to all Malayalees.
In Assam this day is called Bihu, in Punjab Baisakhi (originally Vaishakhi)
and in Tamil Nadu Tamil Puthandu or Vishu punyakalam.
The word "Vishu" in Sanskrit means "equal".
Therefore Vishu is more probably denoting one of the equinox days.