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Onasadhya is the most delicious part of the grand festival called Onam. It is considered
to be the most elaborate and grand meal prepared by any civilisation or cultures
in the world. It's a feast which if enjoyed once is relished for years.
Onasadhya is prepared on the last day of Onam, called Thiruonam. People
of Kerala wish to depict that they are happy and prosperous to their dear
King Mahabali whose spirit is said to visit Kerala at the time of Onam.
Legend goes that Mahabali who was so attached to his people that he
requested Gods to allow him to visit Kerala every year.
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People of Kerala wish to
convey that they are enjoying the same age of prosperity as was witnessed during
the reign of King Mahabali by preparing a grand Onasadhya.Rich and the
poor, everybody prepares Onasadya in a grand fashion as people of Kerala are
extremely devotional and passionate when it comes to Onasadya. So much so that,
it has lead to saying, 'Kaanam Vittum Onam Unnanam'. Meaning - men go to
the extend of selling all their possessions for one Onam Sathya.
Rice is the essential ingredient of this Nine Course Strictly Vegetarian Meals. All together there are 11 essential dishes which have to prepared for Onasadya. Onasadya is so elaborate a meal that it is called meals, even though it is consumed in one sitting. Traditional Onam Sadya meal comprises of different varieties of curries, upperies - thigs fried in oil, pappadams which are round crisp flour paste cakes of peculiar make, uppilittathu - pickles of various kinds, chammanthi - the chutney, payasams and prathamans or puddings of various descriptions. Fruits and digestives are also part of the meal.
The food has to be served on a tender Banana leaf, laid with the end to the left. The meal is traditionally served on a mat laid on the floor. A strict order of serving the dishes one after the another is obeyed. Besides, there are clear directions as to what will be served in which part of the banana leaf.
These days Onadaya has toned down a little due to the urban and hectic living style. Earlier, Onasaya used to be even more elaborate. There were about 64 mandatory dishes - eight varieties each of the eight dishes. At that time three banana leaves were served one under the other to accommodate all the dishes. How exactly they were accommodated in the tummy..is a food for thought!
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