ONAM RECIPES

Onam is the state festival of Kerala. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm and zest by the Malayalees all over the world. While Thiruvonam (the tenth day) is the most important day of the festival, the celebrations at some places continue until chatayam (twelfth day). The festival is marked by elaborate rituals, feast, socializing, games and fairs. Umpteen varieties of dishes are prepared throughout the festival in every Malayalee home. 'Onasadya' or the traditional feast of Onam is an unavoidable part of the festival. It is organized by people irrespective of caste, creed and community barriers.

The grand feast of Onam is held in a methodical manner. The impressive spread of delicacies are served in banana leafs. The leaf has to be placed in a particular way and the dishes are also to be served in a defined pattern. The serving on the leaf begins from the left with 'Upperies' (deep-fried dishes). Umpteen numbers of scrumptious dishes are served on this occasion. Different kinds of rice with a number of side dishes and other delicacies such as curries, 'pappadams' (round crisp flour cakes), 'achaars' (pickles) and 'payasams' or 'pradhamans' as desserts are served. Plantain fruits are also served as a part of the meal.

Avial

Avial is a scrumptious dish of Kerala. It is a kind of mix vegetable recipe. Easy to make and delicious to taste, this dish is also very nutritious and fulfilling. It is basically a side dish served hot along with varieties of rice.

Banana Halwa

Kerala recipes are extremely luscious. Apart from the variety of coconut dishes, the most relishing Kerala recipes are sweet to taste. Payasams, Uniyappam, Elayada, Achappam, Banana Halwa (Nenthra Pazham Haluva) are the most popular sweet dishes of the state.

Coconut Chutney

Coconut is a vital ingredient of almost all the Kerala dishes. Right from vegetables to the desserts, coconut is used in almost all the dishes. However, one of the most regularly made and popularly made coconut dish of Kerala is the coconut sauce or ‘thenga chutney’.

Idli

Idli is one of the most popular south Indian recipes all over the country. Extremely scrumptious, light and nutritious, Idli is an ideal breakfast item. Made of rice and Urad Daal, making Idli is not difficult at all, however its preparation takes a little time as the batter for Idli requires fermentation.

Dry Fruit Kesari

Sweet dishes of Kerala are extremely famous for their wonderful taste. One of them is the Dry Fruit Kesari, a popular sweet dish of Kerala. Made of Rava and dry fruits as the primary items, Kesari is extremely scrumptious to taste. It is prepared in a very manner very similar to north Indian ‘Rava Halwa’, except for the fact that the Halwa is not cut into diamond shape later on.

Masala Dosa

Masala Dosa is one of the most popular south Indian recipes all over the world. Made up of the fermented batter of Rice and Urad Daal along with the stuffing of mashed potatoes, it is an extremely scrumptious and fulfilling dish. Though the preparation of Dosa requires a lot of time and efforts, the taste is worth it.

Mor Kuzhambu

Mor Kuzhambu is a popular south Indian dish. It is actually buttermilk curry seasoned with cumin seeds, coriander seeds, turmeric powder and mustard seeds. It is very easy to make and hardly takes 15-20 minutes for preparation. It is extremely luscious and is relishing when served along with plain hot rice. If you are a curry lover, you will simply love this recipe.

Moru Curry

Kerala is famous for its umpteen varieties of curry. One of them is the delicious Moru Curry. It is basically a yoghurt curry popular in Kerala. It is served along with varieties of rice. Preparation of Moru Curry is a very easy task and hardly requires 20 minutes.

Kozhukattai

Kozhukattai, also known as ‘Modak’, is one of the most popular recipes of Kerala. It is generally prepared on ‘Ganesh-chaturdashi’ as it is considered to be the favorite dish of Lord Ganesha. Sweet and scrumptious to taste, this dish takes a little time to be prepared, yet the taste is worth the wait.

Palada Pradhaman

Onam, the harvest festival of Malayalees, is celebrated with great enthusiasm. Right from Attam (the first day of the festival), the air is filled with festivity. A number of interesting games are played. While the rituals performed on Onam may differ from region to region, one tradition that remains the same is feasting.

Pesarattu

A number of varieties of dosa (Indian pancakes made of flour) are made in the southern parts of India. Out of them, Pesarattu stands out. Prepared by using moong dal, Pesarattu makes a very healthy and easy-to-make snack item, which can be served with coconut chutney.

Rice Puttu

The festival of Onam is observed with much fanfare all over Kerala. The festival of harvest includes a number of interesting activities, one of them being feasting. All through the festival, delicious recipes are prepared by Malayalee household. When it comes to breakfast, they would ensure that something healthy as well as delicious is made, to kick-start the day.

Sambhar

On the glorious festival of Onam, lip-smacking Onasadya (Onam feast) is prepared by every Malayalee household, as it is the state festival of Kerala. It is said that people should eat the Onam feast during the festival even they have to sell their possessions. Talking about the dishes, the recipes prepared for the grand feast may vary from region to region.

Theeyal

The harvest festival of Onam is celebrated with fun and fervor. Feasting and playing games form the important traditions of the festival, which falls on the Malayalam month - Chingam (Aug-Sep). Celebrated across the length and breadth of Kerala, Onam finds a special place in the Hindu festivals of India.

Tomato Rasam

Onasadya (traditional Onam feast) is prominent in the celebrations of Onam, the harvest and state festival of Kerala. It is famous world-wide, because a number of items (preferably vegetarian) are served in the delicious feast. While Sambhar makes a prominent side dish, served with rice, Rasam is another item that is inevitable from the menu.

Vada

Onam is very special for Malayalees all over the world, as it is the state festival for their homeland - Kerala. Celebrated with great fanfare, Onam is the wonderful opportunity for people to reconnect with their family and friends back home. Feasting is a prominent part of the merrymaking.

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ONAM FESTIVAL GAMES

Onam is one of the most important festivals of Kerala and it is celebrated with immense joy and fervor all over the state by people of all communities. It is said that Onam is celebrated to welcome King Mahabali, whose spirit is said to visit the state of Kerala at the time of Onam. As this festival falls during the fortnight of the Malayalam New Year, it is welcomed with a special enthusiasm and zest. The celebration goes on for ten days and the tenth day of the festival called Thiruvonam is celebrated with grand traditional cuisines, beautiful dances and classic music and Onakalikal – the traditional Onam games.

After the gala Onam feast, wonderful Kathakali dance performances, socializing and exchanging warm wishes, Onam celebrations are marked with lots of indoor and outdoor traditional sports and activities to indulge in, collectively known as 'Onakalikal'. Besides the usual games of chess, dice or cards, played by the old people there are football matches, personal combats, archery and boxing for the young and more energetic. These games add to the enthusiasm and vibrancy of the festival. People of all age groups participate in the festivals and enjoy the festivities.

Traditional Onam Games

Ball Games

Pantukali

The most popular outdoor game is Pantukali in which the ball is prepared by tying a few pebbles in the layers of dried-up plantain leaves with the help of a plantain or coconut fiber. The players are divided into two groups and a stick called 'natta' is planted at one end of the court. The court is basically an open space with lines drawn at to indicate the limit beyond which the ball should not be thrown. One party serves the ball and tries to hit the stick while others try to catch it. If the ball is caught then the man is out otherwise he gets another chance.

Combats

Kayyankali

are usually of two kinds - those that are undertaken singly known as Kayyankali. It is a violent game and has all the risks of an ancient duel. However no weapons or horses are allowed. In this game there is a display of power. The participants fight one to one. This game is basically the display of power. There are fights, wounds, blood and even death at times.

Attakalam

is another kind of combat which is comparatively less hazardous in nature compared to the Kayyankali. In this the game is not played individually rather the players are made to play into groups. A large circle is drawn on the plain sand floor and one group is placed inside the circle. A member of the second group tries to bring the former outside the circle and both are free to use force. However, once any member of the inside team steps of the circle, he is considered out. After all the members of a team are dragged out, the other team takes its position inside the circle. If a member of any team cannot be driven out, his party is declared victorious.

Ambeyyal

Ambeyyal is actually the game of ‘archery’. In this game, two groups of young men shoot blunted arrows at each other. It is a game to test the patience, skill and persistence of the players. However, since the arrows are strong and are delivered with force, they still manage to hurt many. The bows are made of about 18-inch long bamboo. There is a mark in the form of a little stick called 'cheppu' and those who hit this mark are allowed to carry all the arrows lying on the ground for their team.

Kutukutu

Popularly known as Kabbaddi in rest of India, Kutukutu is a simple group game. In this game, there are two teams with eight players each. It is played in a rectangular court which is divided into two halves, one for each team. One man from one group advances from the middle line towards the opponent's area uttering 'Kutu Kutu' in one continuous breath and try to touch the opponents and run back to the central line without being caught. However, if he is physically caught and is out of breath before touching the central line, he is out of the game.

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THE LEGENDS OF ONAM

Just as in the case of many other festivals of India, there are several interesting legends behind the origin of Onam. The festival is celebrated by all in the state of Kerala, but Nambudiri Brahmins of Kerala are the most spirited when it comes to Onam celebrations as they attribute its origin to their own community. Nambudiri also called Namputiri is the dominant caste of Kerala. Its members regard themselves as the true repositories of the ancient Vedic religion and of the traditional Hindu code.

The Legend of King Mahabali: This is the most popular legend. It is about the mythological King Mahabali who gave Kerala its golden age. Popularity of the King could not be tolerated by Gods and they surreptitiously send him to the nether world. Mahabali's request to visit his people once in a year was granted by God. This annual visit of King Mahabali is celebrated as Onam every year... more

The Legend of Boat Palliodam: Story goes that once a boat laden with food got stuck in the bend of a river. When a wise man boarding the boat, Bhattathiripad, fed a poor and famished family living on the bank of river, only then the boat could be maneuvered forward. From this legend comes the tradition of feeding a poor family on Onam... more

The Legend of Vanishing Boy: The legend says that head of the Katoor Mana, a Nambudiri family had a bath in the river Pampa and was waiting for a poor man to feed. He suddenly saw a boy in rags. After having the meal, the boy vanished. He was spotted near the Aranmulla temple but disappeared again. Brahmin concluded the boy was God himself. Since then, Brahmin brought food to Aranmulla temple every year... more

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THE LEGEND OF VANISHING BOY

It is said that once, about 10 kilometers up the river Pampa from Aranmulla, the head of the Katoor Mana, a Nambudiri family, had a bath in the river. He said his prayers and waited to feed a poor man to complete his ritual. He waited for long but nobody came. Tired of waiting, the Brahmin closed his eyes and began to pray to Lord Krishna. As soon he opened his eyes, he saw a small boy in tatters before him. The devout Brahmin gave a bath to the boy, a set of clothes and a sumptuous meal.

To the surprise of the Brahmin. the boy vanished as soon as he finished his meal. He looked for the boy and spotted him near Aranmulla Temple. But, the boy disappeared again.

The Brahmin came to the conclusion that he was no ordinary boy and was God himself. From then on the Brahmin brought food to Aranmulla Temple every year during Onam.

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THE LEGEND OF BOAT PALLIYODAM

The story goes that several years ago some people were traveling in the boat called Palliodam when all of a sudden the boat got stuck in the bend in the river. The oarsmen tried to move it but were unsuccessful. The spiritual head, Bhattathiripad who was boarding the same boat Palliyodam, thought that it was a bad omen as the boat was laden with food. He came to river bank to seek help and saw a hut by a dim light that was glowing. He decided to visit the hut and ask for help.

When Bhattathiripad went close to the hut he saw a poor widow weeping and some children sleeping besides her. The woman told Bhattathiripad that her children slept off hungry and she has no food to feed them. Bhattathiripad was moved by her pathetic state. He went to the boat Palliyodam and brought food for the family. When the family became happy with the food, boat Palliodam could be easily maneuvered to the main course of river again.

From then on began the tradition of feeding one poor person on the day of Onam.

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THE LEGEND " KING MAHABALI "

It is believed that there once lived a wise and generous asura (demon) king, Mahabali. He was highly regarded by his subjects and everybody was happy in in his kingdom.

Gods felt challenged with the growing popularity of Mahabali. They seeked help from Lord Vishnu who was worshiped by King Mahabali. Lord Vishnu took the avatar of a poor and dwarf Brahmin, called Vamana and came to the kingdom of Mahabali just after his morning prayers, when the King gave boons to the Brahmin.

The disguised Lord Vishnu asked for as much land as could be covered by his three steps. The King made a promise to do so. Suddenly, Vamana increased to a massive size. With his one step he covered the whole of the sky and with the other he covered the whole of earth. He then asked for a place to put his third step. King realised that the boy was no ordinary Brahmin and asked Vamana to to put his third step on his head.

The boy did so, pushing Mahabali in the nether world, the patala. Lord Vishnu was pleased with King Mahabali generosity and granted him a boon. Deeply attached with his people, the King said he would like to visit Kerala and his people every year. Lord Vishnu was pleased to grant the request.
It is this homecoming of King Mahabali that is celebrated as Onam every year.

Another Version of the Legend
There is another legend related to King Mahabali but with a different view point. It says, though, King Mahabali was a wise and judicious ruler, he was also very egoistic. He was a devout worshiper of Lord Vishnu and the Lord wanted to redeem his devotee of the sin.

Lord Vishnu took the avatar of a poor and dwarf Brahmin, called Vamana and asked for a piece of land from the King. The egoistic King said he may have as much land as he wanted. Vamana replied that he want only as much land as could be covered by his three steps. To this the King laughed and made a promised to do so.

The Brahmin boy increased in cosmic proportions. With his one step he covered the whole of sky and with the other, the whole of the earth. King Mahabali realised that the boy was God himself who came on a purpose and offered his head to place his third step. This pushed the king to the nether world, patala. It proved to be a blessing for the King as it released him from the cycle of life and death. This is why, Onam is celebrated by wearing new clothes. People resolve to lead a new life of honesty, piousness, love, and humility.

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HOSTORY OF ONAM

Onam is the state festival of Kerala. Celebrated in the first month ‘chingam’ according to the Malayalee Calender, it is also the annual harvest festival of the state. The festival falls in the month of August to September according to the Gregorian calendar. The celebrations of Onam go ten days long up to Tiruvonam and in some cases to twelve days long until chatayam (twelfth day). The celebrations of Onam include elaborate rituals, music, dances, sports, boat races and of course scrumptious foods. There are several legends and stories attached with the festival. Read on to explore more about the festival of Onam i.e. its history, its origin and its significance.

Onam has been a part of Malayalee culture for centuries. The earliest record of the festival that has been found belongs to the reign of Kulasekhara Perumals around i.e. around 800 AD. However, there are great possibilities that the festival was celebrated before this period also. Any ways, due to lack of physical evidences, it has been assumed that the festival started somewhere around 800 A.D. as the harvest festival of the state. However, there are so many legends and stories attached with the day that it seems that the festival has been a part of the region ever since its origin.

Onam Celebrations has two most important significances in context of the Malayalee culture. First of all, it is celebrated as the harvest festival of the state. It reminds one of the golden age of prosperity when the entire month of Chingam (the month of Malayalee calendar that corresponds to the August- September time of Gregorian calendar) was celebrated as the Onam month. It was the time when the farms of the state produced excess of food grains and brought prosperity and riches to the state. Arriving after the rain-drenched month of Karkidakam (July-August), Chingam was welcomed with much enthusiasm by the people of Kerala.

The second and the most popularly quoted legend with the festival is related to the demon king, Mahabali. It is said that Mahabali was a generous and kind hearted king of Kerala. He was powered by a boon granted to him by Lord Brahma, he was invincible and thus gradually won over the entire earth. Soon after he won the earth, he also won the territory of heaven and became its king. He gradually rose up to become the undisputed ruler of all the three worlds. It was the time he inflicted violence upon the gods. Lord Vishnu then decided to overthrow Bali from his powers. He went to Bali in the form of a Brahman as he knew that the king rejoiced in doing good deeds and giving alms to the poor. He asked for three feet of land from the Demon king to which the king readily agreed.

Gradually, he Brahaman increased in size. In one step, he measured the entire earth and in the other he covered the entire heaven, he then asked Bali that where should he put the third step. Bali, a man of his words, then laid down his head and asked Brahman to step his foot on his head. Vishnu disguised in the form of Brahman, thus appeared in front of Bali and offered him the Kingdom of the nether world. However as Bali was very much in love with the people of his kingdom at earth, he asked Vishnu to give him a boon so that he can visit the earth once a year to which Vishu readily agreed. Bali, since then is believed to come to earth in the month of ‘chingam’ according to the Malayalee calendar and the entire festival is celebrated to welcome their dear king Mahabali to earth.

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2009 - 2010 VIRODHI NAMA TELUGU GANTALA PANCHANGAM

2009 - 2010 Virodhi Nama Telugu Gantala Panchangam

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