Keralites celebrate harvest festival Vishu

Thiruvananthapuaram: Keralites on Tuesday celebrated the harvest festival 'Vishu' with traditional fervour, looking ahead to a season of peace and prosperity.

People woke up in the wee hours to see 'Vishukkani,' the ceremonial sighting of auspicious articles like rice, fruits, gold coins and flowers tastefully arranged in brass vessels, symbolising hope and promise.

Heavy rush of devotees dressed in their best attire was witnessed in major temples, including Guruvayur and Sabarimala, where devotees thronged in hundreds for Vishu darshan.

At the Sabarimala hill shrine of Lord Ayyappa, a large number of devotees from neighbouring states also thronged for the Vishu darshan, for which elaborate arrangements had been made.

Keeping up the long tradition, elders gifted coins to children as part of the custom known as 'Vishukaineettam.'