Onam Recipes – Onam Sadya and Happy Onam!

Onam, the state festival of Kerala in India, celebrated with great fanfare by the Malayalees all over the world. Onam is an occasion for Keralites to celebrate plenitude and togetherness. This festival falls in the month of August to September according to the Gregorian calendar.

The celebrations of Onam go ten-day long-span. All the activities during this season are centered around elaborate rituals, music, dances, sports, boat races and of course scrumptious foods. This celebrations has two most important significance in context of the Malayalee culture. First of all, its celebrated as the harvest festival of the state. The second and the most popularly quoted legend with the festival is related to the mythological king Mahabali. There are many stories associated with the celebration of this festival.

The celebrations of Onam start on Atham day, 10 days before Thiruvonam.Thiruvonam, the tenth day, is the most auspicious. On this day earthen mounds, which look somewhat like square pyramids, representing Mahabali and Vamana are placed and children prepare floral decoration called Onapookkalam (also known as floral carpet) in front of their houses to welcome Onathappan /King Mahabali, as he visits Kerala every year on Onam, to enquire about their well-being.

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The other most important things about Onam are the onakkodi, the new clothes worn on this day and lavish ‘Onam sadya’, the tradition that’s followed by people, irrespective of their cast and religion. All members of the family gather together, usually at the ancestral home for Onasadya – the traditional lunch served on plantain leaves. There is an old saying in Malayalam ‘Kanam Vittu Onam Unnanam’, which literally means that go to the extend of selling their possessions to eat Onasadya /Traditional Kerala Feast.

So Here is a quick index to all Onam Recipes – Onam Sadya in the most authentic style from me to you all.. Hope you all will try and enjoy making these Onasadya recipes. Don’t forget to let me know your opinion if you try.

How to make and serve Onam Recipes – Onam Sadya :

Breakfast

Ottada-Oottada|kothiyavunu.com — **Ottada-Oottada**

Ela Ada|kothiyavunu.com — **Ottada-Oottada**

Sadya serving begins from the bottom left half of the leaf. In some areas, a pinch of salt is kept on the leaf but some people avoid it.

On the bottom left half of the leaf a small banana is placed, next pappadam

Banana/Pazham|kothiyavunu.com — **Banana-Pazham**

Pappadam|kothiyavunu.com — **Banana-Pazham**

Then sarkara varatti /jaggery coated banana chips and upperi/banana chips

Sarkara Varatti |kothiyavunu.com — **Sarkara Varatti**

Nurukku Upperi|kothiyavunu.com — **Sarkara Varatti**

Next from the top left half of the banana leaf

Thoran /Mezhupuratti (vegetable stir fry with coconut) (I have posted many different kinds of thoran but usually we prepare and serve these thorans for sadya.)

Vishu Thoran-Kani Thoran — **Vishu Thoran**

Idichakka-Tender Jackfruit Thoran — **Vishu Thoran**

Next Pachadi’s and Khichadi’s

Pineapple Pachadi |kothiyavunu.com — **Beetroot Pachadi**

Next comes different kinds of Side Dishes

Chakka Aviyal-Jackfruit aviyal |kothiyavuu.com — **Aviyal**

Now banana leaf is filled with all the side dishes and most people will have dipped their fingers in some of the delicacies to have a taste.The rice is served at the bottom center of the banana leaf.