How To Serve The Onam Sadya

Most of us are familiar with the popular and delicious Onam Sadya or the meal which is served on the last
day of Onam. This scrumptious meal is all strictly vegetarian which consists of a huge range of dishes
spread out on a clean banana leaf. All of these dishes are meant to tickle all of your taste-buds because it
contains all flavours- salty, spicy, sour and sweet.

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This lavish treat is prepared on the last day, Thiruonam. As per the legends, King Mahabali was very
attached to his subjects. He requested the Gods to allow him to visit Kerala every year to ensure that his
people are still enjoying the prosperity as witnessed during his reign. So, by preparing this grand feast, the
people of Kerala assure King Mahabali that they are happy and prosperous.

The Onam Sadya consists of rice, banana chips, jackfruit chips, sambar, rasam, a few curries, pickle,
papadams, yogurt, buttermilk and a generous serving of the payasam. Generally 11 essential dishes are
prepared and served on the banana leaf. However the number of dishes can alos go upto 14 in some cases.
The special thing about the meal is that it is to be served on a banana leaf and in a specific order. Let's
find out about this unique order of serving the dishes.

How Onam Sadya Is Served:

A clean banana leaf is spread out with the end towards the left. Traditionally, the meal is served
on mats laid on the floor.

The papadam is served to the extreme left of the leaf. On top of the papadam, a banana is placed.

The banana can be of the variety like 'Rasakadali', 'Poovan' and 'Palayankodan'.

Then from the right of the papadam salt, banana wafers and other fries are served.

After this the ginger, lime and mango pickles are served.

Next the pachadi of beetroot, pineapple and banana splits are served.

On the right the cabbage thoran is served. Along with this beans thoran, avial and kootu curry is
served.

Rice is served at the centre when the guest sits down to eat.

Over the rice the parippu and ghee is poured.

Then in the second helping, sambar and rasam is served on rice.

After this the sweet dishes are served one by one beginning with the adaprathaman followed by
the pal payasam.

Before serving the meal to the guests or other members of the family, a full course meal is first
served in front of Lord Ganapati or Ganesha. An oil lamp known as the Nila Vilakku is lighted in
front of the God to complete the ritual. This is done because everything good with the name and
presence of the God.

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So, this is how the Onam Sadya is served on the auspicious day of Onam.

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