Vishu is the Hindu new year festival celebrated in the Indian state of Kerala and nearby Tulunadu region of Coastal Karnataka. The festival follows the solar cycle  of the lunisolar Hindu calendar as the first day of month called Medam. It therefore always falls in the middle of April in the Gregorian calendar on or  about 14 April every year.The same day, many Hindus elsewhere observe new year as well but the festival is called Vaisakhi or other names.

Vishu literally means equal, and in the festival context it connotes the completion of spring equinox.The festival is notable for its solemnity and the general lack of pomp and show that characterise other Hindu festivals of Kerala such as Onam. The festival is marked by family time, preparing colourful  auspicious items and viewing these as the first thing on the Vishu day.
In particular, Malayali Hindus seek to view the golden blossoms of the Indian laburnum (Kani Konna), money or silver items (Vishukkaineetam), and rice.The day also attracts firework play by children,wearing new clothes (Puthukodi) and the eating a special meal called Sadya, which is a mix of salty, sweet, sour and bitter items.

The Vishu arrangement typically includes an image of Vishnu, typically as Krishna. People also visit temples like Sabarimala Ayyappan Temple or Guruvayur Sree Krishna temple or Kulathupuzha Sree BaalaShastha Temple to have a ‘Vishukkani Kazhcha‘ (viewing) in the early hours of the day.