MUMBAI, 30 AUGUST, 2022 (GPN): The Onam festival will start on August 30 and end on September 8 this year. The great event includes a glittering ceremonial march of elephants, though the main festivities are scheduled for Thiruvonam Day or the holy Onam day on September 8. There are performances of folk art and beautiful floats.

Onam is an annual harvest festival in Kerala. One of Kerala’s most anticipated and significant festivals, it represents the annual return of the demon king Mahabali. Every Malayali or Keralite celebrates the Onam festival for ten days with great zeal and fervour. Various celebrations, boat races, and cultural events are held throughout Kerala during Onam with immense glory and magnificence. Onam Sadhya, a traditional Kerala meal, is a colourful feast with more than 25 dishes that are served on a banana leaf to celebrate the festival. The festival welcomes the harvest and signals the end of the monsoon season.

Puja rituals:

Festivities of Onam continue for ten consecutive long days. Out of these ten days, there are two most important days. These include Atham, the first day, and Thiru Onam, the last or tenth day.

Atham, the festivities start on the first day. Malayalis view the day as sacred and lucky. On this day, people take early morning baths and go to the neighbourhood temple to pray.

Making Pookkallam (flower carpet) begins on this day and it is a notable characteristic of Atham. Housegirls make Attha Poo at the entrance courtyard. This is designed to beckon King Mahabali’s spirit. The Onam festival is a celebration in his honour. Boys assist with flower collection and perform a supporting role. More flowers are placed to Pookalam in the days that follow. As a result, Pookalam grows to be very large by the last day.

A unique method is used to start the Thiru Onam preparations. Everyone becomes committed to celebrating the festival in their own manner. Homes are cleaned, tidied and arranged neatly, and markets are decorated.

The idols of Mahabali and Vamana are cleaned and decorated in homes and temples. Buying and wearing new clothes on this occassion is called Onakkodi and has a special significance.

Onam Sadhya is prepared on the last day of Onam. In this, 26 types of dishes are made, which are served on banana leaves. During Onam, folk dance of Kerala can also be seen there, its organizing is also important there. Thiruvatirakali, kummattikali, kathakali, puli kali etc. are special events.Pookkalam (a floral pattern drawn outside the homes), Onakalikal (different games played during the festival), Vallamkali (boat race), Pulikali (a tableau with actors dressed as tigers and hunters), and archery. Apart from these, food, especially Onam Sadhya or Onasadhya is another integral part of the celebrations.

The Shubh (Auspicious) muhurat to celebrate the festival:

Onam is observed on a day when the Thiruvonam constellation is prominent during the Leo month of the solar calendar. South Indian states like Tamil Nadu and Kerala are where Onam is primarily observed.

The Malayalam solar calendar places the celebration of Onam in the month of Chingam. On both the English and Hindi calendars, it is observed in the months of Bhadrapada or Ashwin and September.

Thiruvonam Nakshatra begins at 4:00 PM on September 7th, according to Muhurta Panchang.

Thiruvonam Nakshatra ends at 01:46 PM on September 8th.

Since it is celebrated in Thiruvonam Nakshatra, so the festival will be celebrated on 08th September. On the basis of Hindu calendar, this day will be Trayodashi Tithi of Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapada month, which is till 09:02 pm. The representative of Trayodashi Tithi is Lord Shiva.

The Onam Sadhya broadly covers all the flavour profiles – sweet, salty, sour and spicy, and uses a lot of regional ingredients,including coconut, jaggery, yams and a wide variety of lentils.

UPPERI

Banana Chips or Upperi are one the most beloved dishes in Sadhya. A handful of Upperi is generally served in the traditional feast.

Pappadam

An Onam Sadhya is incomplete without the Pappadam. They are made from rice flour and are crispy in texture

Varatti

Sharkara Varatti is the sweeter version of banana chips. It is deep-fried raw bananas coated in jaggery syrup and flavoured with cardamom, cumin and dry ginger.

Inji Curry

Inji curry is made from ginger, tamarind and jaggery. This is one of the first dishes prepared in Malayali households in the days leading to Thiruvonam.

Mango Curry

This mango dish adds a spicy kick to the Sadhya. It is made with raw mango and coconut milk.

Naranga Curry

Naranga Curry is a sour lemon pickle that adds some zest to the grand meal.

Pachadi

Pachadi is another yogurt-based dish. This curry is made with either pineapple or bitter gourd and grated coconut.

Olan

Olan is made with white or ash gourd and red beans splashed with a generous amount of coconut milk.

Ellisheri

Ellisheri is made with pumpkin, red beans, and a generous amount of grated coconut.

Avial

Avial is a mixed vegetable dish made by mixing 13 vegetables commonly found in the Western Ghats and grated coconut. It is seasoned with coconut oil and curry leaves.

Thoran

Thoran can be made from any vegetable and is a staple dish in every Malayali household. Usually, it is made with cabbage and carrots or just beans with grated coconut.

Chor

Rice or Chor is an essential part of Onam Sadhya but on this occasion, most Malayalis serve red rice. If you haven’t tried it yet, you definitely should.

Parripu Curry

Parripu Curry is a preparation of plain moong dal topped with ghee, red chillies, and black sesame seeds.

Chenna Mezhkkupuratti

Chenna Mezhkkupuratti is prepared by cutting yams into thin slices. Then, it is boiled with spices and fried in coconut oil.

Sambhar

Sambhar is an essential dish for the grand feast, and each family has their own traditional recipes. It is a lentil-based vegetable stew cooked in a tamarind broth.

Pulissery

Pulissery is made with curd and a vegetable of your choice, from pumpkin to cucumber. In the end, it is topped with a gracious amount of grated coconut.

Kaalan

This signature Onam Sadhya dish is made with yogurt, yam or raw banana and grated coconut.

Morru Kachiyatha

Morru Kachiyatha is made by boiling yogurt to perfection with black sesame seeds, shallots, ginger, and garlic.

Kichadi

Kichadi is another delicious dish from the Onam Sadhya. It is made using spicy yogurt and any vegetable like okra, cucumber, or even bitter gourd.

Rasam

Rasam is made with spicy tamarind soup, sprinkled with a generous amount of curry leaves, mustard and tomatoes. It is either eaten with rice or separately to aid in digestion.

Kootu Curry

Kootu Curry is a dry dish made with raw bananas, black chana and grated coconut.

Neyy

A spoonful of Neyy, usually known as ghee in Hindi, is poured over the rice and parripu to give it an extra flavour. Onam Sadhya is incomplete without it.

Inji Thayir

Inji Thayir is a delicious dish made using ginger, yogurt, black sesame seeds and spices.

Poovan Pazham

Poovan Pazham is a smaller version of bananas. It is enjoyed by mashing it together with Payasam. You can also add pappadam into the mix for that extra crunch.

Palada Pradhaman

Palada Pradhaman is a sweet dish made with milk, dry fruits, and rice ada. It is served in the end, as it helps in counteracting the spices.

Pazham Pradhaman

Pazham Pradhaman includes Rice ada, cashew nuts, thinly sliced coconut pieces and jaggery.