Onam Fiesta !

I wouldn't be a Complete Mallu if I don't mention the Favoutirte festival of Kerala which is "ONAM". Onam Festival is celebrated with great joy and gaiety across Kerala, during a series of days in August or September. Many cultural events are also held on the occasion of Onam. Snake Boat races, Kathakali and Mohiniattam dance recitals and musical performances are organized to celebrate Onam in Kerala. Moreover there is a 10 day holiday in schools for even the children to enjoy.

What do people do throughout the 10 days??
Well there are lots of things!! First and formost People shop till they drop...u'll see sale sale everywhere from big shopping malls to even the smallest market shop. People buy new clothes and exchange gifts. Houses are cleaned and beautiful flower carpets and decorations are made at the entrances of houses and in courtyards. Traditional oil lamps are lit in the courtyard and women dressed in traditional Kerala sarees dance around the lamp, performing a dance called Thiruvathirakali. The main event on Onam day is a grand feast at lunchtime. Called sadya, the feast consists of a series of dishes served one after the other, including rice, vegetable curries, pickles and several varieties of payasam or sweet dish.

The highlight of this season is where u make Pookkalams(Flower designs).
Pookalam is an intricate and colourful arrangement of flowers laid on the floor. The tradition of decorating Pookalam is extremely popular during ten-day-long Onam celebrations. Loads of flowers, lot of dedication, creativity, technique and team effort are what makes a spectacular Pookkalam. Pookalam Competitions r held in schools and associations during this time too. Its a real feast to watch all the designs and creativity. They have become extremely popular and witness huge public participations. Big prizes are also kept in these contests as they have turned up to be extremely competitive events.

The Legend behind Onam Festival in Kerala:

Onam is celebrated to welcome King Mahabali, a legendary ruler of Kerala, who was renowned for the justice and goodness of his rule. According to legend, people in his kingdom lived in prosperity and harmony and loved their King so much that even the God's grew jealous of him. King Mahabali had conquered all the land and sea and the heavens, making the Gods even more disturbed. Vishnu descended on earth in the form of a dwarf Brahmin, called Vamana. He went to King Mahabali's palace and found the good King distributing alms. When Mahabali asked Vamana what alms he sought, Vamana replied he would like as much ground as he could cover with three footsteps. Mahabali looked at the tiny feet of the dwarf and agreed to his wish. Lord Vishnu covered the land and seas with one step and the heavens with the second. Mahabali recognized the presence of the Lord and offered his head as the ground for Vishnu/Vamana's third step. Mahabali was thus subjugated and sent to the underworld. However because he was a good and just king who loved his subjects, he could return once a year to check on the welfare of his people. And it is during Onam time that He comes to visit his people.

Onam Sadhya(Onam Feast)
A proper Onam Sadhya is what the people long for during this time.It consists of the dishes given below served in small quantities with white rice on a Big Banana Plantain Leaf. Totally Vegetarian and YUMMY! The dishes include Parippucurry, Injithair, Sambar, Avial, Kalan, Olan, Thoran, Puliinji, Pineapple Pachhady, Erissery Koottucurry, Sarkarapuratty ,Kaya Varuthathu, Pappadam ,Payasam, Prathaman ,Bananas

Payasams(also known as Kheer) r the best part of this sadya.
I love payasams.There are several varieties of 'payasams'. I have included a recipe of a simple Semiya Payasam which is my fav.
Semiya Payasam
Ingredients:
Vermicelli 1 cup

Cashew nuts handful

Raisins handful

Water 3/4cup

Sugar a cup

Saffron a pinch

Milk a cup

Cardamom two or three pods
Method:

Heat the ghee and fry the vermicelli till light brown. In the meanwhile, boil the water. Add the vermicelli to the boiling water and cover it. Keep stirring occasionally. Once the vermicelli becomes soft , add the sugar and continue to stir. Put the saffron in the milk and dissolve it, add this milk to the vermicelli. Powder the cardamom and add it to the mixture. Then fry the cashew nuts and almonds in ghee and add these. Mix well and boil for about two minutes. Your payasam is ready and can be served hot or cold.
By now I hope u all got an idea of what Onam is .

So wishing u all a Very Happy Onam!