Kollam (Kerala), April 14 (ANI): Former Australian cricketer Steve Waugh on Sunday participated in Vishu festivities here.
Celebrated on the first day of the Malayalam month Medam (April), people arrange grains, fruit, vegetables, silk and gold on a platter and present them as offering to Lord Krishna.
Waugh was present in Kollam to mark the launch of the Australian based Oil Gas and Mining Technical Institute (OGMT).
Traditional arrangements were made to welcome Waugh at the hotel and he was seen enthusiastically participating in the festivities.
The proceeding started with lighting the lamp to get a Vishukanni or a first look on the items arranged in a very authentic manner and Waugh was gifted a traditional Indian cloth which he wore wrapped around his shoulders.
He wished the audience and the locals of Kerala a happy Vishu
Waugh interacted with children and his fans and took pictures with them.
Waugh is the brand ambassador of the institute owned by the Saudi Arabia-based Indian entrepreneur from Kollam, Ravi Pillai.
In Kerala, the start of the Zodiac New Year is when the sun enters into Sidereal Aries, Ashwini Nakshatra, which is celebrated as Vishu.
The legend has it that what one sees when one first opens one's eyes on Vishu morning is an indication of what one can expect in the year to come. Thus on Vishu, effort is made to assure one opens one's eyes before an auspicious image the Vishukkani.
On this day, mothers awaken their children early in the morning and take them blindfolded to the prayer room, where all the wealth of the house is kept in front of a mirror and open their eyes so that the offerings or Kani (wealth) becomes their first sight of the New Year.
Vishu also signifies the beginning of the main harvest season in Kerala. (ANI)
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