The month of August this year is full of festivities in India and people across the country are celebrating various festivals like Kanwar Yatra, Shravan, Raksha Bandhan, Navroz, Eid-ul-Adah and Onam. Currently, it is the time of Onam celebrations. It is a 10-day-long festival of Kerala celebrated in the month of Chingam, according to the Malayalam calendar. The festival falls between August 15-August 27 this year and across the countries, people from Kerala are indulging in the celebration with Malayali traditions.
One of the most special and significant elements of the Onam festivities is the sadhya. In short, sadhya is all the festivities of Onam served on a banana leaf. It's a traditional preparation of 11-12 (at least) dishes like Aviyal, Eruserry, Pulsery, Olan, Kalan, Ada Pradhaman, etc., served on a banana leaf and enjoyed as an elaborate meal during the festival. This meal is traditionally served for lunch. Restaurants across the country serve the traditional sadhya during Onam.
Apart from the meal, the festival of Onam is also associated with games like snake boat races and pookalams (flower rangolis). Some restaurants also organise similar activities. Here are five places across India where you can enjoy a traditional Onam Sadhya this year.
Bengaluru
1. Ente Keralam
Location: 12 New No 1, Ulsoor Road, Near-Manipal Centre, Ulsoor, Bengaluru
Contact: 7846830749/080 41133707
Known for serving traditional Kerala food, Ente Keralam in Bengaluru is a must visit place if you are looking forward to enjoying a sumptuous Onam meal.
2. Coconut Grove
Location: 86, Church St, Haridevpur, Cleveland Town, Ashok Nagar, Bengaluru
Contact: 080 2559 6262
The name itself is a hint of the amazing Kerala food you will get here. You can head to Coconut Grove this year with your friends if you wish to enjoy a traditional Malayali feast in Bengaluru for Onam.
3. Vembanad, The Paul
Location: 138/28, Off Intermediate Ring Road, Domlur Layout, Opposite Embassy Golf Links, Bengaluru
Contact: 080 4047 7777
Housed in The Paul, Vembanad is serving an Onam Sadhya meal on August 25 and August 26 between 12:00 pm - 3: 00 pm. They are also serving an Onam special brunch on both the days till 4:00 pm.
Chennai
1. Savya Rasa
Savya Rasa in Chennai is celebrating the festival by not only serving a traditional Onam meal but also organising cultural activities. They are serving 28 dishes for Onam Sadhya between August 13 – August 26 for lunch and dinner, between 4:00 pm – 11:00 pm.
2. Kuttanad
Locations: New Number. 5, Second Avenue, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Opp. Axis Bank, Shastri Nagar, Adyar, Chennai
Contact: 044 4557 2831
Chennai's Kuttanad restaurant generally serves an elaborate Onam Sadhya and is one of the most popular places in the city to enjoy a traditional Onam feast. If you are in Chennai this Onam, we suggest you not to miss out on the chance to binge here.
3. Jonah’s goes to Malabar Coast
Location: Address: 4'th Main Road | Number 131, Block Number 3, T-1 Yesesi Building, Chennai
Contact: 044 4550 8222
Jonah’s goes to Malabar Coast's name says it all. You can visit this place for a delightful Onam Sadhya this time.
New Delhi
1. Mahabelly
Location: DLF Place, Shop No. MA05, Mandir Marg, Saket District Centre, District Centre, Sector 6, Saket, New Delhi
Contact: 9911462757/9017906907
Located in New Delhi’s Saket, Mahabelly is one of the most popular places in New Delhi for authentic Kerala food. The restaurant is hosting Onam Sadhya between 24-26 August over 6 sessions.
Their timings are -
Lunch: 12:00 PM - 03:30 PM
Dinner: 07:00 PM - 10:45 PM
Also, they are giving home delivery for a select number of dishes.
2. Kerala Cafe
Location: Shop 4 & 5, 1st Floor, Block A/18, Acharya Niketan, Mayur Vihar Phase 1
Contact: 9650696710/011 22755150
Located Delhi’s Mayur Vihar, Kerala Cafe is a simple and small restaurant serving traditional Malayali food. This year they are serving the Onam Sadhya feast on August 25. You can also get a take away from here.
Mumbai
1. Lotus Cafe
Location: JW Marriot, Juhu Tara Road, Juhu, Mumbai
Contact: 022 6693 3344
You can enjoy a delicious Onam Sadhya feast at the posh Lotus Cafe at Mumbai's JW Marriot in Juhu. The restaurant is serving the Onam thaali from August 15-August 27 between 7:00 pm - 11: 00 pm.
2. Taste of Kerala
Location: 6/A, Prospect Chambers Annexe, Pitha Street, Near Citibank, Fort, Mumbai
Contact: 098921 21538
Taste of Kerala, Mumbai is a popular joint for traditional Malayali food and known for using authentic flavours and spices. You can enjoy a sumptuous traditional feast here this Onam as they are also hosting an Onam Sadhya.
3. South High Restaurant and Bar
Location: Ground Floor, Trade Tower, B-Wing, Kamala Mills, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai,
Contact: 022 6558 8866
Mumbai's South High Restaurant is another place where you can enjoy a sumptuous Onam Sadhya with your friends this year.
Kolkata
1. Kolkata Kairali Samajam
Location: 162/B/341, Lake Gardens Rd, Jodhpur Gardens, Lake Gardens, Kolkata
Contact: 033-24249225
Kolkata Kairali Samaj is not only serving a delicious Onam meal but also hosting some cool Onam games for the people.
2. Ammini Restaurant
In the land of Bengal's wonderful cuisine and culture, the Ammini Restaurant stands out for serving delicious Malayali food. You can enjoy an Onam meal here with your friends and family.
No matter what culture we come from, food is one thing which binds us all together. No matter where you are from, make sure you indulge in Onam festivities this year and enjoy a sumptuous Kerala meal. And we promise you won't regret it!
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 23, 2018 03:36 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).