Onam Sadhya 2024: Full List of Items and Recipes

Onam Sadhya 2024: Complete List of Items and Recipes

Onam Sadhya is a grand vegetarian feast served during Kerala’s Onam festival. A traditional Sadhya includes over 24 dishes, showcasing the rich culinary heritage of the region. The meal, served on a banana leaf, blends sweet, savory, and tangy flavors. Let’s explore the full list of items and their significance in this iconic meal.

Onam Sadhya: List of Dishes

The following table outlines the key dishes in an Onam Sadhya. The number of dishes can vary, but these are the most common:

Table: Common Dishes in Onam Sadhya

Dish	Category	Description
Rice	Main Course	Steamed white rice (the base of the meal)
Parippu	Lentils	Yellow lentil curry, often served with ghee
Sambar	Curry	Spiced lentil and vegetable stew
Rasam	Soup-like Curry	Tangy, peppery soup made with tamarind and tomatoes
Avial	Mixed Vegetables	Vegetables cooked in a thick coconut and yogurt sauce
Olan	Stew	Ash gourd and cowpeas in coconut milk
Thoran	Stir-fry	Vegetables sautéed with grated coconut
Kaalan	Yogurt-based Curry	Yam and plantain cooked in curd
Erissery	Spiced Vegetable Curry	Pumpkin and lentils cooked with coconut
Pulissery	Curd-based Curry	Curd curry flavored with spices
Pachadi	Salad or Raita	Cucumber or pineapple in yogurt, sweet and tangy
Kichadi	Yogurt-based Salad	Spicy cucumber with mustard seeds in yogurt
Pappadam	Side	Crispy fried lentil crackers
Achaar (Pickles)	Condiment	Pickles made of mango, lime, or ginger
Banana Chips (Upperi)	Snack	Crispy fried banana slices
Sharkara Upperi	Sweet Snack	Jaggery-coated banana chips
Payasam	Dessert	Sweet pudding made from milk or coconut milk
Banana	Dessert	Ripened banana (often served as a palate cleanser)

Onam Sadhya in Malayalam

For those looking for the list of Onam Sadhya items in Malayalam, here is a translation of some of the main dishes:

Table: Onam Sadhya Items List in Malayalam

English Name	Malayalam Name
Rice	അരിപ്പ (Ari)
Sambar	സാംബാർ (Sambar)
Rasam	രസം (Rasam)
Avial	അവിയൽ (Aviyal)
Olan	ഓലൻ (Olan)
Thoran	തോരൻ (Thoran)
Pachadi	പച്ചടി (Pachadi)
Pappadam	പപ്പടം (Pappadam)
Payasam	പായസം (Payasam)

How to Serve Onam Sadhya

Traditionally, Onam Sadhya is served on a banana leaf, with each dish occupying a specific position on the leaf. Here's how you can organize and serve the meal:

1. Banana Leaf Placement: Place the leaf so that the narrow tip points to the left.

2. Serving Order:

   • Top Left: Serve dry items like pappadam, chips, and pickles.

   • Center: Rice is served in the middle, accompanied by curries like sambar, parippu, and rasam.

   • Right Side: Place wet side dishes such as avial, kaalan, and olan.

   • Dessert: Payasam is usually served last in a separate bowl.

Table: Serving Order for Onam Sadhya

Position on Leaf	Dish
Top Left	Pappadam, banana chips, pickles
Center	Rice, sambar, parippu, rasam
Right Side	Avial, olan, kaalan, erissery
Bottom Right	Payasam

Onam Sadhya PDF and Recipe Guide

For those who want a detailed Onam Sadhya preparation guide, you can download a comprehensive Onam Sadhya List PDF in both Malayalam and English, featuring recipes for each dish. This PDF is a handy reference for planning and cooking the feast.

Onam Sadhya Recipes List

Here’s a list of the recipes you can prepare for an authentic Onam Sadhya:

1. Sambar Recipe: Boil lentils and vegetables with tamarind and sambar powder.

2. Avial Recipe: Cook mixed vegetables in a coconut and yogurt sauce.

3. Thoran Recipe: Stir-fry vegetables with grated coconut, mustard seeds, and curry leaves.

4. Payasam Recipe: Simmer rice or lentils in coconut milk or milk with jaggery.

These recipes can be easily found on YouTube, with many step-by-step videos showcasing how to prepare an authentic Sadhya meal.

Onam Sadhya in Tamil

For those celebrating in Tamil Nadu, here's the list of Onam Sadhya items in Tamil:

Table: Onam Sadhya Items List in Tamil

English Name	Tamil Name
Rice	அரிசி (Arisi)
Sambar	சாம்பார் (Sambar)
Rasam	ரசம் (Rasam)
Avial	அவியல் (Aviyal)
Olan	ஓலன் (Olan)
Thoran	தோரன் (Thoran)
Payasam	பாயசம் (Payasam)

FAQs

1. How many dishes are there in Onam Sadhya?Traditionally, an Onam Sadhya consists of 24 to 30 dishes, depending on the region.

2. What are the essential dishes in an Onam Sadhya?Essential dishes include rice, sambar, rasam, avial, olan, pachadi, thoran, and payasam.

3. Can I get an Onam Sadhya list in Malayalam?Yes, you can download a complete Onam Sadhya list in Malayalam in PDF format.

4. Where can I find Onam Sadhya recipes online?You can find detailed video recipes for each dish on YouTube channels dedicated to Kerala cuisine.

5. What is the significance of Onam Sadhya?Onam Sadhya symbolizes prosperity and unity, bringing families together to enjoy a grand feast during the Onam festival.

Conclusion

Preparing and serving Onam Sadhya is a beautiful tradition that brings family and friends together to celebrate Kerala’s rich culinary culture. With over 24 dishes offering a variety of flavors, this vegetarian feast is not only a treat for the taste buds but also a reflection of the state’s cultural heritage. Whether you’re preparing the sadhya in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, or anywhere in the world, this guide will help you recreate the traditional Onam Sadhya experience.