The Traditional Onam:
Onam is an annual harvest festival celebrated primarily in the Indian state of Kerala. In 2024, the festival begins on Monday, September 2. The most important day of the festival, Thiruvonam will occur on Tuesday, September 3. The festivities typically last ten days, making it a vibrant and joyous occasion.
The history of this festival is connected to the legendary King Mahabali. According to the story, Mahabali was a kind and fair ruler who was loved by his people. His time as king is remembered as a golden age of prosperity, peace, and equality. Impressed by his dedication and honesty, the god Vishnu gave Mahabali the blessing of visiting his kingdom once a year, celebrated as Onam.
Onam sweets to delight your loved ones:
One of the best ways to spread happiness during this festive season is through thoughtful gifts. It is a time for celebration, togetherness, and sharing joy with loved ones. Traditional Onam sweets and special desserts can be the perfect gift items during this festival.
Onam Sweets: Onam Traditional sweets are a delightful way to celebrate the festival.These sweets include classics like jaggery-based treats, coconut sweets, and various rice flour confections.
Onam Desserts: Desserts are an integral part of Onam feasts. Everyone enjoys popular desserts like Ada Pradhaman, Palada Payasam, and Unniyappam. These traditional desserts are made using ingredients like rice, jaggery, coconut, and spices, offering a taste of Kerala's rich culinary heritage.
Naadan Palahara Petti (നാടൻ പലഹാര പെട്ടി)
This Onam, make your celebration memorable with our exclusive Naadan Palahara Petti gift box. This traditional gift box contains Kerala's finest snacks and sweets. Selected carefully to bring joy and delight to your loved ones. Our gift box includes:
- Jackfruit Chips: Crispy and flavorful chips made from ripe jackfruits.
- Ari Murukku: Crunchy rice flour spirals are perfect for snacking.
- Payyoli Mixture: A spicy and savory snack mix from Payyoli.
- Sarakara Upperi: Sweet banana chips coated with jaggery.
- Avalose Unda: Sweet rice flour balls with a hint of cardamom.
- Kozhikode Black Halwa: A rich and chewy halwa from Kozhikode.
- Lakshwadeeps Halwa: Delicious halwa from the Lakshadweep islands.
Traditional onam sadhya: A vegetarian feast
With the Onam sweets for celebration, another event is called Onam Sadhya, a grand feast central to the celebration. This elaborate meal is traditionally served on a banana leaf and consists of various vegetarian dishes, reflecting Kerala's rich culinary heritage. The Sadhya is about the food and the spirit of sharing and community, as families and friends come together to enjoy this sumptuous meal.
The Sadhya Menu
The Onam Sadhya usually includes a variety of dishes, each adding to a mix of delicious flavours. Some main parts of the Sadhya menu are:
- Rice: The mainstay of the meal, usually served in generous portions.
- Pickles: Various types of pickles, with the Kerala ginger pickle being a notable inclusion
- Sambar: It is a lentil-based vegetable stew with tamarind, and various vegetables.
- Rasam: A tangy soup made with tamarind, tomatoes, and spices.
- Avial: A mixed vegetable dish cooked with coconut and yogurt and seasoned with curry leaves.
- Thoran: Stir-fried vegetables with grated coconut.
- Olan: It is a subtle-flavored dish made with white pumpkin, ginger, cowpeas, and coconut milk.
- Kalan: A thick curry made with yogurt, coconut, and raw bananas or yams.
- Kootu Curry: A dish made with black chickpeas and vegetables.
- Pachadi: A yogurt-based side dish, often made with fruits or vegetables.
- Kichadi: Like pachadi, it is typically made with cucumber or ash gourd.
- Erissery: A dish made with pumpkin or yam, cooked with coconut and spices.
Joy and happiness of Onam
Celebrating Onam goes more than ordinary things. One of the key highlights of the Onam celebration is the traditional dances that showcase Kerala's rich cultural heritage. Thiruvathira Kali is the most famous of these. Thiruvathira Kali is a unique dance performed by a group of women in a circle around a lamp. It is characterised by rhythmic steps, elegant movements, and songs that praise the courage and virtues of Mahabali.
Traditional dress:
During this season, people wear traditional clothes that reflect the festival's grandeur and cultural significance.
- Onam Kurti: Women often wear beautiful Kurtis, long tunics paired with leggings or skirts. These are usually adorned with traditional embroidery and designs.
- Onam Golden Saree: Another popular choice is the Kasavu Saree, commonly called the Onam Golden Saree. This elegant white or cream saree is edged with golden borders and symbolises Kerala's rich heritage.
Welcoming onam with decoration:
To create a festival atmosphere, it is essential to decorate the places. Some of the key decorative elements include:
- Onam Rangoli Designs: Intricate patterns made on the floor using coloured powders, flowers, and rice. These designs are known for their beauty and complexity.
- Onam Athapoo: A traditional floral arrangement created to welcome King Mahabali. Athapoo, also known as Pookalam, involves arranging fresh flowers in intricate patterns on the ground, typically at the entrance of homes.
- Onam Poo Kolam: Similar to Athapoo, Poo Kolam is a floral design made with various vibrant flowers. It is integral to the Onam decorations and signifies prosperity and joy.
Traditional onam sports and activities:
One of the most exciting aspects of this celebration is the traditional games and sports, with the Onam Boat Race being the most famous. Known locally as Vallam Kali, this boat race features long snake boats, each rowed by a team of men. The boats compete fiercely on the backwaters of Kerala, and the event draws large crowds who cheer for their favourite teams. The boat race is a thrilling spectacle and a symbol of teamwork and community spirit.
Finally!
Onam is a festival that brings people together, and every aspect of it reflects the joyous spirit of Kerala. This festive season, enhance your celebrations with thoughtful gifts filled with authentic Kerala snacks and sweets. Share the love and joy of Onam with your family and friends, making the festival even more special and memorable. Order your gift box today, and let the festive cheer begin!
