The celebrations of Onam start on Atham day, 10 days before Thiruvonam. The 10 days are part of the traditional Onam celebrations and each day has its own importance in various rituals and traditions. Earthen mounds, which look somewhat like square pyramids, representing Mahabali and Vamana are placed in the dung-plastered courtyards in front of…
Onam (Malayalam: α┤ôα┤úα┤é) is a Hindu festival is also known as Vamana Jayanthi celebrated in the Indian state of Kerala. The festival commemorates the Vamana avatar of Vishnu and the subsequent homecoming of the legendary King Mahabali. It falls during the month of Chingam (AugustΓÇôSeptember) and lasts for ten days starting on Atham and ending…
Avial (Malayalam: wikt:α┤àα┤╡α┤┐α┤»α┤▓α╡ìΓÇì; Tamil: α«àα«╡α«┐α«»α«▓α»ì, pronounced [a╩ïijal]) is a dish that has a unique place in typical Kerala as well as Tamil cuisine and Udupi cuisine. It is a thick mixture of vegetables, curd and coconut, seasoned with coconut oil and curry leaves. Avial is considered an essential part of the Sadya, the Keralian vegetarian…
Onathallu or Avittathallu is a festival celebrated by the Nairs of Pallassana Desham in the Chittur Thaluk in Palakkad district, in the southern-most state of Kerala, India. The festival is a tradition followed by the Nairs of the region in commemoration of the numerous wars they led and fought as part of the army of…
Olan (pronounced [o╦Élan]) is a dish that is part of the Kerala cuisine of South India. It is prepared from white gourd, coconut milk and ginger seasoned with coconut oil. Olan is usually served as part of a Sadhya. Recipe Kerala style Ingredients Black-eyed beans – 1 cup White pumpkin – 1 cup…
Rasam or Saaru (Tamil: α«░α«Üα««α»ì, Rasam, Malayalam: α┤░α┤╕α┤é), Kannada:α▓╕α▓╛α▓░α│ü (Saaru), is a South Indian soup, traditionally prepared using tamarind juice as a base, with the addition of tomato, and chili pepper, pepper, cumin and other spices as seasonings. Steamed lentils are added along with any preferred vegetables. Nowadays all the seasonings required are combined and…