It is Vishu & Good Friday along with Ramadan in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram: For Keralites, Friday, April 15th, has been a rare day that has united the three holy days of Vishu (Kerala's festival of harvest), Good Friday for the Christians and a Ramadan Friday for Muslims. The rare event occurs after several years, IANS reports.

The previous two years had all religious establishments, perhaps for the first time, downing their shutters, leaving people across the religions disappointed.

After the pandemic induced shutdown and slowdown for the last two years, this event has raised people's spirit in the state.

Hindus celebrate Vishu, the traditional New Year, starting with 'Vishukani' or auspicious sight of their favourite deity) early in the morning. Then a visit to their favourite temples, as the auspicious day is believed to bring good luck and fortune in the particular year. This festival is unique as it features the 'konnapoo" (cassia fistula) or "The Golden Shower" and 'vishukaineetam' (a gift), mainly coins.

Vishu also features a 26-course lunch in banana leaf, which is mostly vegetarian in southern Kerala, while in the northern districts, the meal includes non-veg too.

For, Christians, it is Good Friday, which commemorates the crucifixion of Christ. Churches will hold prayers from morning to noon, and after that, the kanji (rice gruel, pickle and a serving of pulses) is served on earthen plates. Important programmes for them on the day are the holy mass and the re-enactment of the final hours of Christ.

Muslims, for whom Friday is special, the importance increases as it is the holy month of Ramadan. They spend more time in the mosque to keep a stronger bond with the almighty since the sacred month is believed to be the time to seek god's forgiveness for sins.

Thus this Friday turned more religious than any normal day in Kerala.