Happy Vishu everyone!
There are many stories behind Vishu. But all of them are focused on either Krishna or Vishnu. In Indian astrology, Vishnu is considered as Kaala Purusha, the God of Time. As Vishu marks the first day of this calendar, he is worshipped by Hindus.
Of all the stories about Vishu, one told about a small boy is most famous. Once there lived a Brahmin boy named Unni who was a great devotee of Unni Krishnan (Guruvayurappan). His widow mother brought him up with great difficulties. Every day his mother used to tell him stories of Unni Krishnan and gradually a great desire began to grow inside him – to see Unni Krishnan once.
He began to pray in the nearby Krishna temple telling him the desire to see him at least once. Krishna’s mind melted and one day he gave ‘darshan’ to Unni in the form of Bala Krishna. Seeing Unni’s innocent love and Bhakthi, he gave his ‘Kaasi waist chain’ made of gold. Kaasi means shape of small coins. Earlier, simplest of all coins was 'kaas'. Unni returned home with great happiness of seeing Unni Krishnan, with the waist chain in his hand.
Next day when Poojari opened the temple, he was shocked to see Murthy’s waist chain (Aranjaanam) missing. News of the theft spread like a forest fire and very soon Unni was caught as a thief. Even though he told the truth crying, no one believed him. In anger, he threw that chain to the nearby tree!
As soon as the waist chain touched the tree branches it changed to yellow flowers closely resembling the golden coins. Seeing this, everyone believed the poor boy’s words.This flower is known as ‘Kanikonna’ or ‘Konna’ in Malayalam and are offered to Krishna as pooja flowers. Surprisingly, through the months from February until April (sometimes in May too), these trees blossom all over Kerala. So, it’s really a spectacular scene to view in Kerala during this season.
Another Version:
During Vishu, yellow flowers called Konna Poo are offered to Lord Krishna while keeping Vishu Kani. These flowers have a story behind it.
In a small village in Kerala, there was a small temple of Sri Krishna. The zamindar of the village had employed a poor thirumeni( priest ) to do the pooja in the temple every morning and evening. The priest used to come to the temple daily with his son who was about 3 years old. While the father used to perform his duties inside the temple, the son used to play in the premises of the temple. In the afternoon the father used to sleep in the verandah of the temple and the boy used to play nearby. With his half closed eyes, he used to watch his son playing.
The fact was that, Unni Krishnan used to come out of the temple and play with the little boy and so the boy was enjoying and playing. The boy used to play as if he is playing with a group of boys, laughing, screaming, running. This practice followed everyday.
Once, on the day before Vishu, the father cleaned the entire temple premises. He was very exhausted and slept outside the temple in the verandah. He told his son to play nearby and not to go very far. The boy was playing near his father and that afternoon Unni Krishnan gave his waist belt which was full of golden bells to the boy as the Vishu Kayneetum. The boy was very happy to receive it and he was holding the waist belt and gazing at it.
At that time the zamindar arrived at the temple and he saw the golden waist belt of Krishna in the hands of the boy. He immediately started shouting and called all villagers and declared that the father and son are thieves. He seized the waist belt from the boy's hand. The father started crying and pleading that they are not thieves and have not stolen it.
At that time, Unni Krishnan, who was watching this drama got very angry. He miraculously caused the waist belt to fly out of the zamindar's hand which fell on a konna tree next to the temple. The golden bells of the waist belt became soft, yellow flowers. These flowers are called as Konna poo which are even now offered to Lord Krishna in the Vishu Kani, because it pleases Lord Krishna and reminds us of his love for the small boy who was very dear to him!
There are many stories behind Vishu. But all of them are focused on either Krishna or Vishnu. In Indian astrology, Vishnu is considered as Kaala Purusha, the God of Time. As Vishu marks the first day of this calendar, he is worshipped by Hindus.
Of all the stories about Vishu, one told about a small boy is most famous. Once there lived a Brahmin boy named Unni who was a great devotee of Unni Krishnan (Guruvayurappan). His widow mother brought him up with great difficulties. Every day his mother used to tell him stories of Unni Krishnan and gradually a great desire began to grow inside him – to see Unni Krishnan once.
He began to pray in the nearby Krishna temple telling him the desire to see him at least once. Krishna’s mind melted and one day he gave ‘darshan’ to Unni in the form of Bala Krishna. Seeing Unni’s innocent love and Bhakthi, he gave his ‘Kaasi waist chain’ made of gold. Kaasi means shape of small coins. Earlier, simplest of all coins was 'kaas'. Unni returned home with great happiness of seeing Unni Krishnan, with the waist chain in his hand.
Next day when Poojari opened the temple, he was shocked to see Murthy’s waist chain (Aranjaanam) missing. News of the theft spread like a forest fire and very soon Unni was caught as a thief. Even though he told the truth crying, no one believed him. In anger, he threw that chain to the nearby tree!
As soon as the waist chain touched the tree branches it changed to yellow flowers closely resembling the golden coins. Seeing this, everyone believed the poor boy’s words.This flower is known as ‘Kanikonna’ or ‘Konna’ in Malayalam and are offered to Krishna as pooja flowers. Surprisingly, through the months from February until April (sometimes in May too), these trees blossom all over Kerala. So, it’s really a spectacular scene to view in Kerala during this season.
Another Version:
During Vishu, yellow flowers called Konna Poo are offered to Lord Krishna while keeping Vishu Kani. These flowers have a story behind it.
In a small village in Kerala, there was a small temple of Sri Krishna. The zamindar of the village had employed a poor thirumeni( priest ) to do the pooja in the temple every morning and evening. The priest used to come to the temple daily with his son who was about 3 years old. While the father used to perform his duties inside the temple, the son used to play in the premises of the temple. In the afternoon the father used to sleep in the verandah of the temple and the boy used to play nearby. With his half closed eyes, he used to watch his son playing.
The fact was that, Unni Krishnan used to come out of the temple and play with the little boy and so the boy was enjoying and playing. The boy used to play as if he is playing with a group of boys, laughing, screaming, running. This practice followed everyday.
Once, on the day before Vishu, the father cleaned the entire temple premises. He was very exhausted and slept outside the temple in the verandah. He told his son to play nearby and not to go very far. The boy was playing near his father and that afternoon Unni Krishnan gave his waist belt which was full of golden bells to the boy as the Vishu Kayneetum. The boy was very happy to receive it and he was holding the waist belt and gazing at it.
At that time the zamindar arrived at the temple and he saw the golden waist belt of Krishna in the hands of the boy. He immediately started shouting and called all villagers and declared that the father and son are thieves. He seized the waist belt from the boy's hand. The father started crying and pleading that they are not thieves and have not stolen it.
At that time, Unni Krishnan, who was watching this drama got very angry. He miraculously caused the waist belt to fly out of the zamindar's hand which fell on a konna tree next to the temple. The golden bells of the waist belt became soft, yellow flowers. These flowers are called as Konna poo which are even now offered to Lord Krishna in the Vishu Kani, because it pleases Lord Krishna and reminds us of his love for the small boy who was very dear to him!
Very nice story thank u for sharing
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