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As the celebrations of Onam are in full swing, you must be looking forward to relishing the Sadhya meal, the traditional setup delicacies in Kerala households. If your friend from the state has been going on and on about this festive spread and invited you to their home for this special meal, you must go.
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It is among the most delightful and satisfying spreads you can indulge in. However, you must learn a few table etiquette before you dive into the irresistible spread on the banana leaf. Since it’s a traditional meal, you must be wary of a few customs and rituals so that you don’t attract unnecessary attention.
Placement Of Banana Leaf
There is a specific way to lay down the banana leaf. If you are helping elders at home to arrange the Onam Sadhya, you must always remember to set the banana leaf with its small endpoint to the left while the broad side is on the right. Since Indians eat with their right hands, the broader side can hold more dishes than the narrow one. It should be washed and cleaned as well.
Seating
Traditional Sadhya is consumed while sitting on the floor. Hence, you must be prepared to sit on the floor with your legs crossed to indulge in the best meal of your life. In many households, people now eat Sadhya meals on the dining table but it is better to be prepared than caught off guard.
Wash Hands
Most items served on the banana leaf during the Onam celebration are consumed with the right hand. It is a tradition. Therefore, you must wash your hands before sitting down for the meal. You must also avoid using your left hand as it is often frowned upon and considered unnecessary and unclean to use.
Order Of Serving
For any Sadhya meal, there is an order to serve the dishes. If you help out your friend to serve the delicacies, you must be well-versed in this order. It starts with starters, pachadis, and rice followed by khichdi, thoran, and avail. Desserts like payasam are served at the end. If you are seated for dining, wait for the dishes to be served before you start eating.
Order Of Eating
Apart from the order of eating, there is a traditional approach involved with relishing Onam Sadhya. People generally begin with rice and mix it with curries like rasam, sambar, and pulissery. Don’t mix the entire serving of rice at once. Combine small portions with the curry of your choice. Consume other items on the spread later, and end with the dessert.
Avoid Wastage
Since the festive spread is auspicious, you must ensure not to waste any food item. It is frowned upon. Make sure to take a small amount of everything on the banana leaf instead of filling it to the brim. You can always ask for the second serving of anything you like the most. You should also avoid talking or making loud sounds while eating.
Fold Banana Leaf
Once you are done eating, carefully fold the banana leaf so that the leftovers do not spill. The fold must be inward as it signifies gratitude and satisfaction to the host. The inward fold will make it easy for you to dispose of the leaves without spilling anything in the dining area or ground. If you fold it outwards, your host will think you are being disrespectful. End your meal by saying ‘thank you’ to the host.
