Onam, the harvest festival, is the most popular festival of Kerala . It is celebrated in the Malayalam month of Chingam(between August 15 and September 15) to honor of King Mahabali. The celebrations last for 10 days, starting from Atham or Hastham. The tenth day after atham is Thiruvonam. It is believed that on the last day, King Maveli (Mahabali) visits Kerala. Hence the day is marked by feast and festivities. Intricately decorated Pookalam, delicious Onasadya, Snake Boat Race and the Kaikottikali dance are some of the most remarkable features of Onam.
The delicious part of Onam is Onasadhya. 'Onasadhya' is the grand feast served during the celebration of Onam in Kerala. It is served in Banana leafs. There is a way of placing the leaf and an order of serving the dishes. Rice is the essential ingredient of this strictly vegetarian meal. All together there are 11 essential dishes which have to prepared for Onasadya. Number of dishes may at times also go upto 13.
Back home on thiruvonam, me and my sister would decorate our front yard with flowers from our own garden and have a sumptuous Onam sadya prepared by mom. Here since onam was on was on a weekday, I could not prepare a elaborate onasadhya. But we will try to post the recipes of dishes. This months posts are dedicated to Onasadhya. Below are the some of the dishes prepared. (Click on the links for the recipes available. The rest will follow soon.)
Pookalam looks lovely and beautiful,Wow what great onasadya hmmm....
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