Ernakulam: God’s own country, Kerala, prepares to extend a warm welcome to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is scheduled to arrive in Kochi this evening for a two-day visit. The Kerala Sadya, featuring traditional delights, is being prepared for the Prime Minister’s dinner.
The feast will include iconic Kerala dishes such as Olan (a light dish with white gourd and black peas), Kalan (made with curd, coconut, and vegetables), and Gothambu Payasam (a sweet dish made of broken wheat). The menu has been prepared following the Prime Minister’s directive to include more Kerala cuisine. Kerala parotta, a local favourite, will also be part of the dinner.
The Prime Minister’s accommodation is arranged at the Government Guest House in Ernakulam. Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to arrive by helicopter at the Southern Naval Command Headquarters in Kochi at 6:30 pm. A road show is scheduled from KPCC Junction, extending to Hospital Junction at 7 pm, covering a distance of about one kilometer. An estimated half a lakh people are expected to line up along the road.
Kerala Sadya
Sadya, an integral part of Kerala’s culinary heritage, holds immense significance for Malayalis, which constitute a diverse array of traditional vegetarian dishes typically served on a banana leaf. The Malayalam word sadya means a grand feast and is a customary offering during significant occasions such as Onam and Vishu.
The main dish of this grand feast is plain boiled rice served with flavorful curries. The curries include parippu (lentil curry), sambar, rasam, pulisseri, and a selection of others such as kaalan, avial, thoran, olan, pachadi, kichadi, koottucurry, erissery, mango pickle, injipuli, mezhukkupuratti, and naranga achaar (lime pickle), along with papadam, plantain chips, sharkara upperi, banana, plain curd, and buttermilk. The traditional dessert called payasam is served at the end of the meal and is available in many variations, with usually three or more types served.
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