Bangalore, September 17, 2013: Even though most schools, colleges and offices were functioning on Monday, Onam was celebrated with traditional grandeur. Malayalam-speaking women across the city were seen draped in Kerala sari, and the community members had the Sadhya, a traditional Kerala meal comprising over 20 dishes. While various Malayali associations celebrated the festival and organised various stalls last week, many Malayali families chose to celebrate Thiruvonam that marks the end of 10 days of festivities on Monday with their family and friends.

Carolyn Therasa, (19), a student said that she rushed back from college to celebrate the festival with her family and friends. Although their family had to skip drawing the Pookkalam as it was working day, the entire family got together and enjoyed the Onam Sadhya together.

Some of the Malayalis skipped work and chose to host non-Malayali friends to a sumptuous lunch.

Nisha Nambiar, who lives near Cox Town said, “My daughters’ friends came home to decorate and make the flower carpet on Sunday. I hosted a traditional lunch for my non-Malayali friends on Monday.”

Meanwhile, several customers flocked to restaurants serving Kerala cuisine to enjoy various traditional Kerala delicacies such as the Aviyal, raw mango rasam, Pulissery and various types of payasam.

Source: The Hindu, September 17, 2013