The Famous Onam Meal in Kerala

Onam is a major festival celebrated in Kerala. It is a Hindu harvest festival that celebrates Mahabali and Vamana. In state-sanctioned celebrations, Mahabali is a cultural hero that gave up his life to protect his subjects. Vamana allowed Mahabali to return once a year. Onam is celebrated for ten days and includes many activities like dance events, worship, boat racing, cultural programs, etc.

Onam meal is usually known as Onam Sandhya, an indispensable part of Onam, a vegetarian meal served during the festival of Onam, which consists of 24-28 dishes served over nine courses made of seasonal vegetables, primarily yam cucumber, ash gourd etc. 

We will Learn about The Famous Onam Meal in Kerala in the following text.

Onam

Onam is a Hindu harvest festival celebrated in Kerala. It has a tremendous cultural and religious significance for Keralites and is the official festival for the Indian state of Kerala. According to the Malayalam calendar, Onam is celebrated over ten days during the month of Chingam, the first month of the year. The ten days are known as :

1. Atham
2. Chithira 
3. Chodi
4. Vishakam
5. Anizham
6. Thriketta
7. Moolam
8. Pooradam
9. Uthradam
10. Thiruvonam

The ten-day celebrations begin with Athachamayam, a parade that includes an elephant march, drums, folk art, floats, and people dressed in vibrant colours wearing masks. It is believed that the Kochi king used to have grand military processions from his place to Thrikkakara temple.

Then Pookkalam or Flower Rangoli takes place where the floral rangoli is made with different flower types arranged in a beautiful pattern. After this, music and dance events occur, including dance forms like Kathakali, Thiruvathira, Kummattikali, Pulikali, Thumbi Thullal, Onam Kali and many others. Pulikali (tiger dance) is also commonly seen during this period.

Vallamkali is a snake boat race prevalent in Onam festivities featured on the Pampa River, a sacred river and Kerala equivalent of the Ganges River. 

The last part of Onam is celebrated with Onam Sadhya for the Onam meal. This is a must for everyone observing the festival either one joins an Onam meal or hosts one. Everyone celebrating Onam in some way or the other is connected to this meal, either as a guest or a host.

The Famous Food in Onam

Some of the most famous food in Onam are:          

• Banana Chips 
• Sharkaraveratti (fried banana with jaggery coating)
• Pappadam
• Thoran
• Injipuli (Pulilnji)
• Kaalan
• Mezhukkupuratti
• Kichadi (different from the Khichdi)
• Puliseri (Velutha curry)
• Pickles
• Coconut Chutney
• Olan
• Rasam
• Moloshyam
• Erisheri
• Payasam

The dishes mentioned above are some dishes that are served in an Onam meal, but the meal is not limited to only these dishes; there are many other dishes added to the meal. In some places like hotels and temples, dishes can go up to 30. We can understand the importance of the Onam meal through the Malayali proverb “Kaanam Vittum Onam Unnanam”, which means that if needed, one must sell his property to have Onam lunch.

Onam Sadhya Recipes

Let us learn about Onam Sadhya Recipes: 

Kootu Curry

It is a thick curry made from vegetables like snake gourd, pumpkin, ash gourd, yam etc. and legumes like black chickpeas or chana dal. 

It is one of the essential dishes in Onam Meal.

Parippu Curry

It is a curry made using moong or toor dal with coconut and other spices.

Cabbage Thoran

It is a dry vegetable dish made using finely chopped vegetables cooked with shallots, freshly grated coconuts, chillies and other spices.

Kerala Banana Chips Recipe 

Kerala banana chips are made by frying slices of unripe Nendran banana in coconut oil until they are crispy. The texture of Nendran banana makes it better than regular banana chips.

Pumpkin Erissery

Pumpkin Erissery, also known as Mathanga Erissery, is a mild curry with hints of sweetness and is a prevalent dish in Onam Sadhya. It is made from pumpkin, cowpeas & coconut. In some parts of Kerala, it is known by the name of Elisseri.

Koorka Stir fry

It is a recipe made of Chinese potato. The potatoes are stir-fried with coconut bites.

Conclusion

The above text taught us about the famous Kerala Onam meals and their cultural and religious significance in Kerala and among Keralites. Onam meals or Onam Sadhya are feasts prepared during the Hindu Harvest festival of Onam, which celebrates the yearly return of king Mahabali. Onam meal consists of almost two dozen dishes or, in some places, more than 30 dishes are served on a plantain leaf. 

The dishes are generally made from seasonal vegetables. Dishes that are commonly served are Banana Chips, Sharkaraveratti (fried banana with jaggery coating), Pappadam, Thoran, and Injipuli (Pulilnji), Kaalan, Mezhukkupuratti, Kichadi (different from the Khichdi), Puliseri (Velutha curry), Pickles.

Onam meals hold a great significance for people celebrating Onam and are an inseparable part of Onam. So this was all about famous food in Onam.