Why ONAM food is mostly served on banana leaf only.?

Answer 1

Onam (Malayalam: ഓണം) is an annual harvest festival, celebrated mainly in the Indian state of Kerala. It is the foremost festival among the cultural repertoire of Malayalees, and falls during the month of Chingam (August-September as per the Gregorian calendar), the first month of the Malayalam calendar and lasts for ten days. Though it is essentially a harvest festival of Malayalees, mythologically it is linked to Malayalee-Hindu folktales. Like some other religious festivals in India, Onam is celebrated by people across all castes and faiths.

Significance
Onam has been part of Malayalee psyche for centuries. There are records of Onam being celebrated during the Sangam Age. Onam festivities have been recorded during the time of Kulasekhara Perumals around A.D 800. It is believed that during those days the whole of Chingam was celebrated as Onam season. After the rain drenched month of Karkidakam with its privations, Chingam is a welcome month for people in the state of Kerala. The festival is the harbinger of spring — signalling the start of the harvest season. Onam epitomizes the newfound vigour and enthusiasm of the season, and is celebrated with traditional fervour with visit to temples, family get-togethers, gifting each other clothes called Onakkodi and lots of merry making.

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Legend

A traditional pookalam or flower carpetKashyapa had two wives, Diti and Aditi, who were the parents of demons and demigods (Asuras and Devas) respectively. As the common practice in those days, for a King invading another kingdom to acquire additional territory, Indra, the king of demigods went on war with the king of Asuras. Mahabali, the King of Asuras defeated Indra and proceed to occupy Indra's territory. Kashyapa, who had gone to the Himalayas to do penance, on his return, found Aditi weeping over the defeat of her son, Indra. By divine insight, Kashyapa recognised the cause of grief. Kashyapa tried to console Aditi who was wailing in grief, saying that nothing happens in the world without God's will and people should go on doing their duties. Kashyapa asked Aditi to pray to Lord Narayana and taught her Payovrata, ritual that has to be observed from the twelfth day of the bright half Karthika (Sukla-paksha Dwaadasi). Since Aditi carried out the Vrata with a pious heart, Lord Narayana appeared before her and informed her that he would himself take birth in her womb and help Indra. Later, on the twelfth day of the bright half of the month of Bhadrapada, Aditi gave birth to a son of uncommon effulgence. That child, "Vamana-murti", demonstrated His divine powers by doing marvelous deeds even when He was a child.

Balichakravarthi (Bali, The Emperor) or Mahabali, was the grandson of the devout Prahalada, the son of Hiranyakasipu. Bali, like Prahlada, too engaged in the glorification of God and in the spiritual and material uplife of his subjects. Mahabali who was performing the sacrificial rite called Viswajith declared that he would give anything that anyone sought from him during this Yagna. Bali wanted to propitiate the Gods so much that, with their blessings, he could extend his beneficent rule over the entire world. Lord Narayan, in the form of Vamana, utilised this opportunity to shower Grace on him.

Vamana came to the Yaga-shala. As he was approaching them, the sages assembled there perceived the extraordinary effulgence form of the young lad. Mahabali went forth to receive the Brahmin boy with all traditional honours and gave him an eminent seat befitting the status of a holy person. Bali told him 'Master! It is my good fortune that you have chosen to honour me with your presence. Whatever you desire, I am here ready to fulfil the same'. Vamana smiled and said: "You need not give me anything great. It is enough if you give me that extend of land covered by three footsteps of mine".

On hearing him, Bali's preceptor, Shukracharya, who could have vision of the future told Bali that the one, who had come to seed a gift from Bali was not an ordinary Brahmin but Lord Narayana Himself who had assumed this form. He advised Bali not to promise the lad anything. But Bali was a king who would never go back on his word and told his Guru that he would never break his promise. He was determined to give Vamana whatever he wanted since breaking one's word was a sin and he had to keep his pledge Shukracharya insisted that he should not fulfil the demand of Vamana as he had come to deprive Bali of all His possessions. He said that Vamana was not really in need of anything as everything was in his hands.

Bali, however, was determined to honour the word given to Vamana, begged pardon of his Guru for disregarding his advice. Earlier, while Bali was embarking on the war with Indra, he had prostrated at the feet of his preceptor, Shukracharya, and on his advice he performed the Vishwajit Yagna from which he secured very powerful weapons. It was only because of Shukracharya's help that he was able to conquer Indra. On this occasion, Bali was not prepared to heed the advice of the same preceptor. Shukracharya cursed Bali, saying: 'As you have not heeded your Guru's words, you will be reduced to ashes'. Bali was firm and replied: 'I am prepared to face any consequence but will not go back on my word'.

Saying so, he asked Vamana to measure the three feet of land as desired by him. All attempts of Shukracharya to dissuade Bali from offering the land desired by Vamana proved futile. Bali told his Guru: "Prana (life) and Maana (honour) are the two eyes of a person. Even if life goes, honour should be protected. Granting that the person that has come now is the Lord Himself, I should be the most fortunate one as the Lord, who gives everything to mankind, is seeking something from me." Vamana then came to his cosmic form, measured all the earth with one foot, the skies with the other, and stood there for the third foot of land. Mahabali immediately offered his head for the same purpose. Vamana placed his foot on his head and sent him to the netherworld.

Emperor Bali, the most benevolent ruler, was liberated by being sent to the netherworld by Lord Mahavishnu who incarnated as Vamana. Vamana grew and grew in size until he towered above the heavens. With one foot, he measured all of the earth. With the other, he claimed all of heaven. There was still one foot of territory that Bali owed him. Bali offered his head to be measured as the third step of land which Lord Vamana had asked for as alms. Honouring the great devotion and sense of sacrifice of Bali, the Lord granted him permission to visit his subjects once a year. Thus, Keralites celebrate Onam festival to commemorate the Advent of Lord Mahavishnu as Vamana Avatar and to rejoice the annual visit of Emperor Mahabali to meet his subjects.

During Onam, the feast and festive mood of the people, dressed in their best, is considered reminiscent of the prosperous and truthful life of the subjects during Bali's flawless reign. People wear new clothes (Vastra) during Onam. The 'Vastra' also stands for heart. Thus the significance of wearing new clothes is about making the heart new by removing all bad thoughts and feelings. People forgetting their sectarian outlooks, join together to welcome the auspicious 'Thiruvonam' day.

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The Temple
It is said that a temple was erected around the location where this incident took place. This temple stands over a large area in Thrikkakara, Ernakulam, in Kerala. Onam is celebrated here with great fanfare every year, and concludes with a well-known fireworks show.

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Critical Views
The legend of Onam may also be reflective of the beginning of Brahmins (Namboodiris)(Vamanan) dominations in Kerala and the fall of native residents (Mahabali) of Kerala of those time. It may be possible that during this period the Aryans from North through present day Tamil Nadu & Karanataka were making inroads into Kerala. (This Aryan theory no longer has any basis as now the "aryan invasion" theory is discredited as without basis) Yes!! it is possible that it has reference to the Brahmin migrations first probably in the 5th century CE.

Onam can also be considered as a thanksgiving. Maha Bali represents the Indus Valley Civilization. It was a primitive communist society. With no private property. Spoken a Dravidian dialect related to Tamil. Had a religion similar to Pasupata Saivism. The Saivaits smear ashes on their foreheads to remind them that all worldly things end up as a handfull of ashes, and therefore acquiring private property is a futile exercise. It is to this scenario that came the Aryan invasion represented by Vamana. Being intellectual giants the Aryans could override the native inhabitants and establish themselves here. They have adopted what was impeccable in the native philosophy and attached them to their scriptures (Vedas) as Vedanta. After possible elapse of eight millenia, one cannot distinguish between Aryan and Dravidian traditions. India is a combination of Dravidian, Aryan, Budhist, Jain, Christian, Islamic and other traditons. Onam can be considered as a thanksgiving to the original inhabitants of India by the present day citizens.

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Atham pathinu ponnonam(Malayalam: അത്തം പത്തിനു പൊന്നോണം)
The ten-day celebrations of Onam start on Atham day. Earthen mounds, which look somewhat like square pyramids, representing Mahabali and Vishnu are placed in the dung-plastered courtyards in front of the house and beautifully decorated with flowers. Known as ‘Onapookkalam’, it is a carpet made out of the gathered blossoms with one or two varieties of foliage of differing tints pinched up into little pieces to serve the decorator's purpose. It is a beautiful work of art accomplished with a delicate touch and a highly artistic sense of tone and blending. (In a similar manner North Indians make something called "Rangoli" which is made of powders of various colors.) When completed, a miniature pandal, hung with little festoons is erected over it.

The important part of the festival opens in some localities on Thiruvonam day and in others on the previous day known as Utradam. On Thiruvonam day, King Mahabali is believed to visit every Malayalee home and meet his people. Houses are cleaned and decorated with flowers and traditional lamps. A fabulous display of fireworks turns the capital Thiruvananthapuram into a veritable fairyland. Sumptuous feasts are prepared in every household. The eldest member of each family presents clothes to all the members of the family. Even the poorest of the poor manage to find something for himself to celebrate the national festival in his own humble way.

Onam comes in the month of "Chingam" according to Malayalam calendar. People put flower mats in front of their houses, to welcome the King. There will be competition for the laying of flower mats; Keralites all over the world will be celebrating this ten days will pomp and gaiety. They will wear new dresses, will be visiting almost all temples which they can, they will be performing lot of dances like Thiruvathira kali Thumbi Tullal etc. to name a few and the most important thing is the grant lunch they will be having on the Thiuruvonam day. Which is also called the Fourth Onam. Whatever may happen they will not miss the Grant lunch (sadhya). There is a saying in Malayalam that "Kanam Vittu Onam Unnanam" which means "We should have the Thiruonam lunch even if we have to sell all our properties". They give that much importance to the lunch on the Thiruonam day.


Onam is celebrated with focus on different cultural aspects in each place. Athachamayam- a cultural procession takes place in the royal town of Tripunithura near Ernakulam-Kochi, on the Atham day of Chingam, which also marks the beginning of Onam celebrations. At the Vamanamoorthy temple in Thrikkakara, the annual temple festival coincides with Onam. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vamana and is directly linked to the mythological background of Onam.

At Shornur, Kathakali dancers in gorgeous costumes enact the legends. A strikingly impressive procession of caparisoned elephants is taken out at Thrissur.

The celebrations begin within a fortnight of the Malayalam New Year and go on for ten days. The last day called the Thiruvonam is the most important. All over the state, rituals along with new clothes, traditional cuisine, dance, and music mark this harvest festival.

In Thrissur, a vibrant procession with resplendently caparisoned elephants is taken out while at Cheruthuruthy, people gather to watch Kathakali performers enact scenes from epics and folk tales. Pulikali, also known as Kaduvakali is a common sight during Onam season. Performers painted like tigers in bright yellow, red and black, dance to the beats of instruments like Udukku and thakil.

At Aranmula, during Onam days the famous Aranmula Vallam Kali is conducted.

The swing is another integral part of Onam, especially in the rural areas. Young men and women, decked in their best, sing Onappaattu, or Onam songs, and rock one another on swings slung from high branches.

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Onam activities

A typical onam sadhyaThe most important things about Onam are the onakkodi, the new dress worn on this day and onam sadhya, a feast which is quite elaborate.This is usually a feast served on banana leaves and serves rice alsong with at least an array of 4 dishes. Trasitional pickels and papadam are also served . Desert - is usually 'payasam ' a sweet dish makde of milk, sugar and other traditional indian savories .

During Onam, people create a multi-colored floral decoration on the ground in the front of their home called a pookkalam. Young children espicially girls are often entrusted with the task of gathering and laying out the flowers in elaborate patterns.Competions are held on onam day to create this floral design. It is usually 1.5m in Diameter and circular or star shaped. A lamp is usually plaved as part of the design.

The Vallamkali (the snake boat race) is another event that is synonymous with Onam. Well-known races include the Aranmula Boat Race and the Nehru Trophy Boat Race. About 100 oarsmen row huge and graceful snake boats and men and women come from far and near to watch the snake boats skim through the water.

This festival is also important because of its secular character. Whatever might be the origin of Onam, today it is celebrated with equal fervour by the Hindus, Muslims and Christians, and hence it cannot be regarded as a Hindu festival in its strict sense.

Kerala, with its lush vegetation and the waves of the Arabian Sea lashing its coastline, is one of the most beautiful states of India. Its landscape is unlike that of any other state of our country. The sea makes inroads into the mainland in several places and fishermen with their catamarans and sailboats dot the horizon. The sea overflows onto low-lying areas when the tide is high, forming lakes and backwaters. There are also many freshwater lakes 'which are rich in seafood. Coconut palms growing straight or arched, some touching the earth in a deep curve trying to reach the sunlight, grow in abundance.

This land was home to the king Mahabali, who was the grandson ofPrahlad and son ofValchana, both great kings. Onam is celebrated for three days in memory of that time, the golden age of Kerala. The people believe that Mahabali comes to Kerala to see his people once a year because of a boon granted to him by Vishnu in his Vaman avtar.

Onam falls on Daadshi of Bhadrapad or the 12th day of the waxing moon in Bhadon (in AugustSeptember), when the rice fields have been harvested. It is two days before Anant Choudesh, when the immersion ceremony of Lord Ganesh is being celebrated in Maharashtra and some of the other states of India.

The people of Kerala count the days of a month according to the moon cycle; each day is dedicated to a star and has a distinct name. The stars, like the tith, may overlap or vanish altogether, thereby sometimes resulting in two days dedicated to the same star, or not having one particular star at all in a given month (depending on whether the star is at the position which determines the day). The calculation tallies with the lunar calendar. The date of course changes every year according to the English calendar. It is best ascertained by using an almanac (jantri or panchang).

Onam has become the festival for everyone in Kerala and has been declared a national festival by the government. It is celebrated with great fervour irrespective of caste or creed. It is, of course, a harvest festival but during this time, after the harvest, everyone rejoices with thoughts of the time of Bali, who brought great peace to this land.

The people of Kerala are 100 per cent educated, but are very simple in their habits and dress. The women mostly wear off-white saris made of cotton, although terry cot and pastel shades are becoming popular. On festive days the sari worn has a zari in the centre. Glaring designs are shunned.

All women wear flowers - jasmine in single or double strands decorate the hair, falling alongside single plaits of hair. On festive occasions flowers are woven into intricate designs and put on the base of the head. A strand of jasmine or any small seasonal flower is a temptation to which most women, old or young, succumb. Women in South India do not cover their heads as they do in the north. The men wear lungis with zari for occasions, otherwise too the lungi is the common dress for men. The upper part of the body has a cloth known as utthariyeem hanging on the shoulder and reaching to the waist or a little higher. This is also off-white, with zari for occasions. Nowadays, shirts or kurtas are worn as upper garments and the lungi or dhoti still worn around the waist and legs. The Keralites often pick up their long lungi from the lower ends and tuck it into the waist, thus making it into a half lungi and allowing the legs free movement in water.

The story of Mahabali or 'Bali* is told in the Bhagwat Purana. Bali was a noble, generous righteous and powerful king who ruled with justice, wisdom and generosity. Although he was an asur, no devta was as noble, in thought or action, as him. He never refused anyone who asked for a boon. He did tbeViswajit Yagna under the guidance of Guru Sukre (who is the guru of all asurs). This bestowed on him the strength of the three worlds. No one could stand against Bali. The people loved him and he glowed like a jewel. He looked so handsome that Indra (the king of the devtas who was always afraid that his throne would be taken by someone who became too noble) got very jealous.

Indra had, time and again, foiled the divinity reached by several sages who had by their actions or tap (great meditation) nearly reached his stature. This time the devtas approached Vishnu to come to their aid. Narayan (Vishnu) was aware that an asur dynasty would not in the end be good for the earth and so took the Vaman avtar as the son of Aditi and Kashyap, and remained in the form of a small boy with an umbrella and a kamandal, even in adulthood.

Mahabali was, at this time, about to perform the Ashvamedha Yagna so that he be ,proclaimed the most powerful king in the three worlds. He decided to do it on the banks of the river Narbada. He was proceeding with the rituals, when he saw a great glow coming towards the yagshala. He found a small boy, glowing like the sun, with a kamandal in one hand and an umbrella in the other, coming towards them. Bali knew it was no ordinary child and in all humility asked him to sit down. He asked him to demand anything he desired as his glory and sanctified the yagshala. The child demanded three paces of the ground, measured by his own foot. Bali thought that three paces of a child's foot was not enough and told the child to ask for something more. The child Vaman insisted on three paces. Guru Sukre saw through the game and told Bali not to accede to this demand as he was being cheated and that in such a case there was no sin in going back on his word (so the Vedas say). Sukre knew that it was Vishnu in the guise of Vaman, but Bali did not budge; he had given his word. Sukre left the gathering in disgust, thus giving permission to his pupil to do as he wished. Vaman took the first step and became Lord Narayan, one pace took the world and the second took the heavens. Then there was no land left and Narayan became Vaman again and asked where he should take the third step. Bali asked him to step on his head as he would be blessed by the feet of Narayan, and so he was sent to satalalok (pathal lok) with one foot on his head, but was blessed with the words that even after losing everything on this earth he would gain eternal wisdom and the personal love and care of Lord Narayan.

Bali asked for one favour: that he be allowed to visit his people on earth once a year. It is believed that he comes to see his people on Onam. The people rejoice to know that he is with them and want to show him that they are as happy as they were when he was their ruler so as not to cause him pain and unhappiness.

The celebrations start exactly ten days before Doadshi, i.e., from the Dooj of the waxing moon to Doadshi of the waxing moon and as in Ganesh Chaturthi, Durga puja and Pongal, everyone is out to have fun.

The houses in Kerala are usually kept so clean that there is no need to do any sort of spring-cleaning before Onam. The furnishing is minimal but the kitchen has a lot of pots and pans which are kept shining all the year round. The weather here is not like in North India) where it becomes very hot during the summer, with hot dusty winds depositing dust on the walls and every nook and corner, and it becomes incumbent to whitewash and clean the houses just after summer (before Diwali being an ideal time). Tamil Nadu is also very hot and sultry during summer. The winter is not so cold, hence Pongal is chosen for spring-cleaning when everyone is bursting with enthusiasm.

In homes, the celebrations for Onam start with decorating the gate or the main door as well as the inside of the house. Branches full of coconut (red coconuts are used for this purpose), banana leaves, along with coconut fronds decorate the corners and walls of the house. There is no deity associated with Onam and there is no special puja', still the housewife performs daily rituals with a little extra piety. The first day of Onam is known as Attam. On this day the formal functions start with the housewife and the other ladies and girls of the house waking up early in the morning, taking a bath and dressing in clean (usually new) clothes. They wear jewellery, generally of gold.

Children also get up very early and, after bathing, go to the parks and market to pluck or buy the flowers and flower petals which will decorate the home. The women of the house prepare the ground on the east side of their house, making it smooth and then spreading cowdung evenly on which the petals or flowers are placed in a manner which is beautiful to behold. If the cowdung becomes dry, a little water is sprinkled on it so that it can hold the flowers in place; wet cowdung acts as a light glue. The attam is usually round in shape and the artistry of the young comes to the fore. A lump of cowdung is put in the centre, symbolising Ganesh. Once the attam is completed the women gather round it and dance and sing special songs, in praise of Mahabali. Clapping of hands is with the person on either side, much like the Danda dances of Rajasthan or Maharashtra.

Every day the flower decorations are renewed; the old one is not scraped but water is sprinkled on top and a thin layer of cowdung added and a new design carefully patterned on it. This is done right up to the main day of Onam and every day everyone dances around it.

Community attam is becoming popular now and common grounds are used for singing and dancing around beautiful flower decorations which are guarded day and night; in fact, people keep guard, turn by turn, to see that no one takes away the fresh flowers brought in for decoration every morning or even an evening before.

For ten to fifteen days, something or the other in the name of social or cultural activity takes place in homes and at the state level.

On the third day of Onam, feasts are arranged by families at lunchtime and everyone is invited in one home or another. The food is vegetarian; the main dish is rice with many types of curd, vegetables and kheer.

Food in Kerala is served on banana leaves; each one is about two feet in length, and on the left of the leaf a little pickle is placed along with banana chips (a favourite with Keralites), papadom and different types of curd, either mixed with cucumber (pachei), or fried ladies fingers (khistry) and coconut chutney. Rice, the main dish, is served with many types of vegetable curry. A different curry is served with each helping of rice. The first course is usually with sambhar and pure ghee. Then comes rasam and aviyal (a large number of vegetables cooked in a curry, again a speciality), thuvasan (string beans cooked dry in a little mustard oil, mustard seeds and grated coconut; cabbage can also he prepared like this), kalan (dahi with some vegetables), and oalan (a type of yam cooked like a vegetable).

The kheer can also be of many kinds. These include:


Ada (rice or wheat made into chappatis and cut into small bits with milk and sugar added and cooked.
Parippu (made with milk and lentils). (3) Seviya (milk, vermicelli and sugar). (4) Payasam (dry rice, brown in colour).
Presents are given to anyone one wants to. What is to be given to whom is carefully worked out before the festival begins.

The government celebrates Onam with boat races and pageants. On the Onam day the government takes out floats as it does on Republic Day, with each competitor vying with the other for the prize. School children, and the police and other organisations form a parade. Elephants from nearby temples are decorated and paraded on the main road as they are considered auspicious. The parade goes onto the main roads and the Governor takes a salute. There may be some illuminations in shops, but houses are not illuminated at night, as this is a daytime festival.

Answer 2

Significance Of Onam

Answer 3

Its not just Onam food but also food elsewhere in south i.e. Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh is traditionally served on banana leaf.

Answer 4

oru aghoshamanu onam athinal allavarum sadya ennu unnunathu banana leafil aanu oruhappyyannu.

Answer 5

it's big and u get it for free,that is why they serve onam food mostly on banana leaves.

Answer 6

In few restaurants in Orissa too, I have seen such. In my native village, on every religious ceremony we eats on either banana leaf or a disposal plate made of some dry leaves. Its just traditional.

Answer 7

Banana leaf has the green chloroplasts when hot food is placed on it the chloroplasts mingle with the food and get into the body. It has anti-aging properties. All this the western scientists wont tell you because they dont want you to know your food and living habits are far better than theirs...

Answer 8

as i know it is a tradition of kerala to serve food in bannana leaf and also it is easy to serve all that dishes

Answer 9

because .........
blah .. blah....... blha..............
blhablhablha................

( on & on & on ...........x multiply many times);

more u know about it ; more u go BANANA;
less u no, have banana;

so, when its banana season ; don't ask Q;
eat on banana leaf;
or use it whichever way u like it;
but u would have only banana;
that,s what they had that time;
remeber ------- now!!!

all the best for Onam fesitival;
many-ques!!!

Answer 10

its a custom . a very ancient one . in olden days there were no plates . banana leafs were long and could have been used to serve food . if u r a mallu u should know it . the lady who gave u a long ans is taken from net . u could have searched the net . asked a question just for the sake of it ????????????????? che nasham................:0

Answer 11

There's a sever shortage of plates there...