Yesterday was Onam. It is a South Indian festival celebrated by the Malayali and Keralite community of India. It is a harvest festival bringing in joy and prosperity. Back in India in the South Indian states this festival is celebrated in a very big way with a lot of festivities and cultural programs. Here in Muscat also there are celebrations that take place at the Indian Embassy. The most famous part of this festival is the meal, which is called the Sadya
This meal is had on a banana leaf, this meal comprises of 26 dishes and everything is vegetarian. There is a lot of Ayurveda concepts used in this meal, all the dishes have high nutritional value in it, there are also some of the dishes which aids in digestion. A very well thought and a balanced meal it is. It is also considered very healthy to eat on a banana leaf, it is said that when hot meal is put on the banana leaf there is an antioxidant release that happens which helps the gut in many ways.
I do not celebrate this festival, but one of my friend insisted that we go for this Sadya meal which was organized at one of the South Indian restaurant in the city. I had never experienced this before so me and hubby agreed to join them for the meal.
As we entered the restaurant, at the entrance there was a nice flower rangoli done. The white part in this rangoli is not flowers, it is grated coconut. First I thought it was rice though I was not sure, looking closely at it I found out, it was grated coconut.
There was a Diya lamp, it's considered to be auspicious.
Through out the restaurants there were small flower rangolis made
This was just for show purpose.
The meal was served to us on a banana leaf. You will see there are variety of vegetables and little of everything served. They would come and serve more if needed.
Along with this there are different types of Dal, buttermilk and a sweet also.
Me and hubby enjoying the Sadya meal
It's a long spread, the good part is we do not have to get up every time to get anything, it is served by them.
By the time we finished the meal and we were leaving we noticed that the flower rangoli was messed up. It's nice to experience these different cultures and know about them.
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