What other feast can boast a spread of 20+ delicacies laden on a huge banana leaf with each telling a story of tradition and flavour? This exceptional food feast sums up the grandeur of Onam Sadhya, a legendary tradition carried out during Onam.
As we prepare for Onam celebration 2025, let’s rekindle its significance and origin along with discovering how to bring authentic Kerala flavours right into your kitchen with traditional Sadhya recipes.
Because if not through a Sadhya, what else would encapsulate the wholesomeness of Onam? So, let’s learn more about this auspicious festival through this blog!
What is Onam?
Onam is a harvest festival that celebrates the annual visit of King Mahabali’s predominant honour in Kerala. Onam traditions are observed across the span of 9-10 days, encompassing a variety of cultural events across the state.
Onam 2025: When Is It This Year?
As per the Gregorian calendar, Onam is celebrated between the months of August and September, wherein the exact date is determined by the Panchangam. This year, Onam will begin on 26th August leading up to the grand celebration (Thiruvonam) on 5th September.
Legend & History Behind The Great Harvest Festival of Kerala
To know about the Onam festival and how Sadhya came by, you need to travel a few centuries back specifically to King Mahabali. Grandson of the Brahmin sage Prahlada, Mahabali took over the three worlds by defeating Gods (Devas).
Since Mahabali was a true devotee of Lord Vishnu, he decided to test him. Lord Vishnu approached Mahabali in the form of a dwarf boy called Vamana Rupa and asked for just three paces of land.
As Vamana (Vishnu in disguise) covered both earth and sky with his two steps, outgrowing in size and covering the universe. For the third step, King Mahabali offered his own head, and Vishnu upon placing his foot, buried him in the Pataal Lok. This devotion pleased and impressed Lord Vishnu. Thus, allowing Mahabali to visit his people once a year. And that is how the festival of Onam came about, in memory of their benevolent king.
Feast On a Leaf: The Heritage of Onam Sadhya
Onam sadhya is no ordinary meal celebration, it’s a grand and elaborate feast that embodies Kerala’s traditions.
The word ‘Sadhya’ translates to ‘banquet’ in Malayalam which is an enormous meal consisting of a variety of traditional and authentic dishes from the state. The meal is immense because it celebrates abundance, gratitude and unity.
“Kaanam Vittum Onam Unnanam”, an age-old Malayalam proverb which translates to ‘One must have the Onam lunch even by selling one’s property, if need be.
This saying further proves how important an Onam Sadhya is in Kerala’s culture, even if it means selling your property or giving it away to afford a Sadhya.
Traditional Menu: Must Have Staples & Savouries In Sadhya
Kerala is home to many mouth watering dishes that are rich in flavour as they are in tradition. Despite there being a plethora of savouries and sweets, you will never not see these traditional dishes during Onam:-
1. Rice
Kerala rice, also known as Choru rice is the centerpiece of the meal to symbolise prosperity. It is served in the centre to represent life’s core, and is surrounded by various other dishes collectively called kootu.
2. Vegetables
The Malayallis prepare a variety of vegetables each consisting of various textures, flavours and colours. Vegetables range from pineapple, pumpkin, yam to banana, each denoting nature’s bountifulness.
3. Pickles & Other Relishes
We as Indians cannot part ways with our tangy or sweet flavoured pickles and Onam doesn’t deprive you of its delicacies. A range of pickles are served from spicy, tangy to sweet to compliment the flavour of other dishes.
4. Buttermilk
Buttermilk or Sambaram, a refreshing natural drink served to ensure proper digestion after the indulgent spread of Sadhya. This humble yet flavourable drink represents Kerala’s hospitality to ensure a comfortable experience while eating.
5. Payasam
No meal is complete without dessert and the occasion of Onam is no different. Payasam, a creamy rice simmered in milk and sugar, is the highlight after every sadhya. Since it’s a showstopper of the feast, it has at least 4 kinds of variety.
From Rice to Rasam: Here Are Onam Sadhya Recipes You Must Try
Here are the recipes of some lip-smacking dishes prepared for Onam Sadhya:-
1. Authentic Red Rice
The primary dish present in every Onam Sadhya. It offers a rich, nutty flavour. Here’s how to prepare it:-
Ingredients:
- Kerala red rice (white rice as substitute)
- Pinch of salt
- A spoonful of coconut oil
Method: Wash the rice thoroughly under tap water until it is clear. Take a pressure cooker and pour your measured rice and water along with salt and coconut water. Let it pressure cook for 5 mins under medium flame. Once done, let the lid open on its own and fluff it.
2. Kerala Style Sambar
Sambar is a must-have dish for any and every occasion. Here’s a simple and easy recipe:-
Ingredients:
- Toor dal
- Turmeric powder
- Coconut oil
- Tamarind paste
- Vegetables (Drumsticks, carrot, pumpkin, ashgourd, lady finger)
- Mustard seeds, red chillies and curry leaves to temper
Method: Pressure cook the dal and then mash it. Next, cook all the vegetables with turmeric and salt. Heat a large pot, add coconut oil, fry the lady fingers and add tamarind paste. Add remaining ingredients with water and let it simmer. In a pan, fry the mustard seeds, curry leaves and red chillies in oil and pour over the prepared sambar.
3. Payasam (Sweet Rice Pudding)
No one says no to a delicious cup of Payasam. So, if you need to prepare one in order to impress your guests, here’s a recipe you should try:-
Ingredients:
- Rice
- Milk
- Sugar
- Ghee
- Cardamon Powder
- Cashews or raisins to garnish
Method: Cook the desired rice in milk until it is soft. While it is simmering, pour in sugar and ghee and let it boil some more. Once it is creamy and soft, add cardamon powder and cashews or raisins to garnish it.
Preparing Your Home For Onam: A Festive Makeover
As Onam comes around the corner, it’s time to give your home a festive makeover to have your home feeling the spirit of the occasion. So, roll up your sleeves because here are some Onam decoration items to adorn your home with:-
1. Use Onam Flowers
Your house is incomplete without a multi-layered floral arrangement adorning your floor. Pookalams, a traditional floral carpet, believed to welcome King Mahabali, is made with several colourful flowers.
2. Decorate with Traditional Fabrics
To make your home cosy and earthy, use traditional fabrics around your house. From kasavu-bordered fabrics to coir and handwoven mats, adorn your curtains, tables and furniture to elevate the aesthetics of your home.
3. Festive Onam Decoration Items
The light from the Nilavilakku lamp will further illuminate the spirit of Onam and brighten your home. Furthermore, you can make Toran using Mango leaves, hang marigold garlands, place banana leaves in a vase and even hand around motifs like Kathakali masks.
4. Dressing Up Your Walls
Just like you are going to be dressed up in your finest Kasavu saree or a Mundu, your walls too need their festive glamour. With Magicdecor’s festive wallpapers, instantly get the spirit of Onam into your home, making it warm and inviting for you and the guests.
When There Is Onam, There Is A Sadhya!
The festival of Onam does not only celebrate the coming of Lord Mahabali, but rather the togetherness of preparing and eating a meal while celebrating gratitude and harmony.
Therefore, celebrating this year’s Onam with traditional Sadhya recipes is one way to keep the cultural heritage alive. Afterall, Onam reminds us that prosperity truly lies in the bonds we share.
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