Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy interacts with children who came to wish him on the occasion of Vishu in Thiruvananthapuram.

 

Thiruvananthapuram

 

Hindus yesterday visited temples in large numbers in Kerala to mark Vishu, known as their traditional New Year.

The Sabarimala, Guruvayoor and Sree Padmanabhaswamy temples in the state crowded. The biggest event on this day is to have the 'Vishukani darshan' (auspicious sight of the deity).

An important feature on this occasion is to give 'vishukaineetam' (a gift), which mostly consists of coins.

The day is equally important for the most sought after Vishu meal, which is the traditional 26-course Kerala lunch, served on a plantain leaf. While in the southern districts of the state, people have a vegetarian lunch on the occasion, in northern Kerala, they include non-vegetarian dishes.

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