Feast takes centre stage as Kerala marks Onam indoors

The one thing that took centre stage was the traditional 26-item vegetarian lunch, known as the Onam ‘sadhya’ or feast. Onam is the traditional harvest festival of Kerala and of the three most important days, Thiruonam, the second day of Onam falls on Monday.

Thiruonam is the day when sadhya, the mother of all vegetarian lunches, is served.

The only difference in the way the sadhya is eaten compared to the older days is, though it continues to be eaten from plantain leaf with hands, the place has shifted from the floor to the dining tables. The mouth-watering lunch includes chips, pappadoms, various preparation of vegetables, pickles both sweet and sour, the traditional aviyal, sambar, dal served along with a small quantity of ghee, rasam, two different preparations of butter milk, a chutney powder prepared from grated coconut and not to mention a series of payasams eaten either straight or mixed with ripe banana.

Another feature of the sadhya is the way in which the dishes are served in a specific order and eaten in a certain way. Apart from the traditional food, Onam also brings out sartorial changes in practically every Keralite.

However, the ongoing pandemic has been a dampener to the festive spirit this year.

Modi, Kovind extend Onam greetings

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and others on Monday wished citizens on the occasion of Onam. Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his greetings to the people on the occasion of Onam, saying this is a unique festival that celebrates harmony.

President Ram Nath Kovind called it it a “symbol of our rich cultural heritage and an expression of our gratitude to Mother Nature at the arrival of the new crop”.

Vice President Venkaiah Naidu and Amit Shah also greeted people on Onam. Naidu hoped that the festival brings peace, prosperity and happiness to everyone.