Bisu Parba 2024: All about Tulu new year

Bisu Parba 2024: All about Tulu new year

Mangalore Today News Network/News18

Mangaluru, April 15, 2024: This year, Bisu Parba, the new year and harvest festival of the Tulu region was celebrated on Sunday, April 14. It marks the first day of Paggu, the first month of the Tulu calendar also called Thingade/Singade. Generally, it falls in the middle of April month as per the Gregorian calendar. Bisu Parba is one of the most significant annual festivals for Tuluvas and marks a symbol of prosperity from the past year.

 

Paggu month is the transition period from Pisces to Aries. The first day after the transition is called Thingade or Singade, the day Bisu Parba is celebrated. The culture and rituals of Tuluvas are intertwined with agriculture and nature worship. Tuluvas believe in starting new ventures on this auspicious day. On the day of Bisu Parba, there are various agriculture-related rituals like laying Kani, offering tribal offerings, and Kai Bith Haka (laying hands) on the occasion of Enelu Besaam.

On the day of the Bisu festival, families wake up early in the morning and take a bath. The eldest of the house lights the lamp, keeps banana leaves, places one cup of rice, betel leaves, one semi-dehusked coconut with Muganda, Jungle geranium, sandalwood, along with grown vegetables, flowers, hinges, fruits and gold ornaments are placed before the idol of God. After this, they offer prayers and prostrate to Bisu Kani. Then a sweet dish is served.

Generally, families come together to pray and worship their God in front of Bisu Kani. The day marks the get-together of relatives, where the young ones seek the blessings of the elders by touching their feet. The elders of the house offer money to the younger ones and then enjoy the feast.

Bisu festival is considered the beginning of good fortune. Special worship and rituals are held in Daivaradane Chavadi and temples. People make a traditional dish on this special day and enjoy the food together. As per the rituals, Bisu Kani (arrangement of fruits and vegetables) on the roof of the house.