Delectable dishes to try in Kerala on Vishu

Vishu, Kerala’s annual festival takes place on the 15th of April and marks the beginning of the astronomical New Year as per the Hindu calendar. Vishu festival holds a special place in the hearts of all the locals, and the preparation for the Vishu celebration is done with much love and care.

Vishu Kani is the arrangement of flowers, vegetables, fruits, gold, rice, pulses, kanikonna and mirrors in front of Lord Krishna. This is the beginning of the celebration of the Vishu festival.

For all food lovers and epicureans, Kerala is like paradise, with authentic dishes that are delectable and flavoursome. During Vishu Sadya, the locals prepare the dishes with extra care and love, celebrating their New Year with much aplomb. Be sure to gorge on these Vishu Sadya dishes that are made during the Vishu festival.

The Vishu feast is served on a banana leaf. Traditionally, food is served on the leaf from left to right, and is very grand, almost like a wedding. Although the dishes are vegetarian, they are delectable.

Neyyappam

Traditionally, Neyyappam is a rice and jaggery pancake that is fried in ghee. These delicious pancakes are an ideal snack to munch on, while sipping on some hot tea. During the period of the Vishu festival, this dish is made in advance, as it is considered to be auspicious, and a part of the Vishu Kani.

Payasam

Any celebration in Kerala is incomplete with Payasam. Holding a special place for sweet tooths’, the Payasam is made with rice, vermicelli, milk and sugar. During Vishu, the pineapples or parippu is added to the traditional Payasam, giving a more festive feel.

Vishu Kanji

One of the more authentic dishes, Vishu Kanji is something like a porridge that is made from rice, spices, and coconut milk. In some parts of Kerala, this dish is also made with different pulses.

Mambazha Pulissery

A seasonal dish that is made around Vishu, Mambazha Pulissery is made from mangoes. With a soupy consistency, the dish has a sweet and sour taste and is eaten with rice, or just as is.

Vishu Katta

The Vishu Katta is an authentic Malayalam dish that is made from powdered rice, jaggery, and coconut milk. This is a dry dessert that is sweet and extremely popular around the festival season.

Avial

A dish that has originated in Kerala, Avial is a curry that is made from coconuts, coconut oil, curd, curry leaves and vegetables. Avial is a part of every Kerala festival - Onam and Vishu.

Beans Thoran

Beans Thoran is a dry dish that is a part of the traditional Vishu meal. Green beans are mixed with grated coconut and seasoned with spices.

Kootu curry

Kootu curry is a dish where banana is the main ingredient. Black chickpeas or chana dal are added to raw bananas and ash gourd. This is mixed with yams, spices and ground coconut.

Banana chips

A staple of Kerala, all Malayali festivals are incomplete without the famed banana chips. Raw bananas are sliced, fried in hot oil and seasoned with spices. This crunchy and delicious snack can be enjoyed at all times.

Puli Inji

Puli Inji is a traditional Malayali dish that is prepared for the Vishu Sadya celebration. Like a chutney, the dish is made from ginger, tamarind, red chillies and jaggery. Sweet and sour, the chutney pairs well with rice.

Club Mahindra resorts in Kerala

During your visit to Kerala to celebrate Vishu, make sure to experience a Club Mahindra holiday. Club Mahindra has premium resorts in Kerala that make the visit to God’s own country even more relaxing. Comfortable rooms, top-notch services, specially curated experiences, and friendly and helpful staff, are just a few reasons that make Club Mahindra properties worth a stay.

Club Mahindra has a property in all the popular tourist destinations in Kerala. Book a Club Mahindra holiday at any of the resorts in Kerala and get ready for magical memories.

Club Mahindra resorts in Kerala for you:

• Club Mahindra Cherai, Kochi
• Club Mahindra Arookutty, Allapuzha
• Club Mahindra Mount Serene, Munnar
• Club Mahindra Munnar
• Club Mahindra Thekkady
• Club Mahindra Ashtamudi, Kollam
• Club Mahindra Poovar, Thiruvananthapuram

Kerala weather during Vishu festival

As the Vishu festival takes place on the 15th of April, it is hot and humid in most parts of Kerala. On average, the temperature is around 30°C. The hill stations of Munnar and Wayanad are popular among tourists as the weather in these parts is pleasant.

Kerala travel tips

• To fully integrate yourself in the celebrations, wear yellow and gold. Women can wear white sarees with gold borders, and men can wear mundus.
• Get an experience of eating on the banana leaves.
• Follow all Covid-19 protocols. Wear your mask, maintain social distance, and wash your hands frequently.

How to reach -

Kerala is well connected to all parts of the country via air, road and rail. Planning a visit to Kerala during the Vishu festival? Use any mode of transportation to reach the place easily.

• Air

All passengers who are double vaccinated can easily fly into any airport in Kerala. Many direct flights operate to and from Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram, connecting Kerala to all parts of India.

• Road

Kerala has excellent roads and highways, making it easy to travel via road. The state is well linked to Bengaluru and Chennai, and travellers from these states can drive down in their private vehicles, or hop on any comfortable private or government-owned buses.

• Rail

Kerala’s railway network is vast, with many trains operating. There are stations in all districts of the state, making travel easy.

If you plan to visit Kerala during April, be sure to enjoy the Vishu Sadya feast. Packed with flavour, every item that is prepared is a treat for the tastebuds. Healthy and vegetarian, the Vishu dishes are made with a lot of love which reflects in the taste. Also, enjoy the spectacular fireworks show that is a part of the New Year celebrations.

About Mahindra Holidays

Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India Limited (MHRIL), India’s leading player in the leisure hospitality industry, offers quality family holidays as also stated by Club Mahindra Membership Reviews and Club Mahindra Reviews, primarily through vacation ownership memberships. While Club Mahindra is the flagship brand offering Club Mahindra Membership, other brands offered by the company are – Club Mahindra Resorts Fundays and Svaastha Spa. As of Mar 31, 2019, MHRIL has 61+ resorts across India and abroad and its subsidiary, Holiday Club Resorts Oy, Finland, a leading vacation ownership company in Europe has 33 resorts across Finland, Sweden and Spain. Visit us at https://www.clubmahindra.com/