BENGALURU: This year, the city’s F&B industry is celebrating a conscious Onam. The harvest festival, with Thiruvonam on August 25, has taken a CSR route at several restaurants in Bengaluru in view of the grave situation in flood-stricken Kerala.
It’s a dine-and-donate Onam sadhya this time. If anyone reserves a table on the three days around Onam at Bon South and South Indies for their 100-item sadhya buffet, 10% from his bill amount will go towards Kerala CM’s distress relief fund. With this announcement, the two eateries received 80% bookings for Thiruvonam and 45% reservations on August 24 and 26.
Corporate executive chef Manu R Nair says, “Many Bengalureans want to contribute money for Kerala relief but don’t know how to go about it. Onam sadhya will be the best way to dine and donate for a good cause.”
At the subsidised Onam buffet at Sheraton Grand-Bangalore, an added Rs 100 will be deducted on every plate on the day of the festival and the proceeds will go towards the CM’s relief fund. General manager Sujeet Kumar says, “Our initial plan was to cancel the Onam festivities. When we watched the reportage on rescue operations, we decided to implement a plan to make our contribution.”
The Oberoi and the Taj Group of hotels, however, have cancelled the Onam festivities this time after viewing the tremendous loss in the state.
ADVERTISEMENT
Online food delivery platforms are doing their bit to spread the message. While Freshmenu’s Keralite staff has already left for god’s own country to volunteer, Innerchef used social media to announce that it will contribute Rs 10 on each order placed this week across India to the CM’s relief fund for Kerala. Representative Image Founder Rajesh Sawhney says, “Startups may not be cash-rich but we have a huge reach. Since we have the best access to a large consumer base, it should be our job to spread the message.”
Almost every segment of the F&B industry seems to be coming together and joining hands to champion this cause. Food bloggers Soham Shoney and Ambica Selvam are organising a food styling and photography workshop, the proceeds of which will go entirely towards both Kerala and Kodagu relief this week. Each participant will be charged Rs 2,000 and will be asked to transfer the amount directly to the selected NGO working towards the cause.
“Food is what we know well. We will use our skills to raise funds for our neighbouring state that is in need now,” says Shoney.
ADVERTISEMENT
Baisakhi, Bihu, Vishu, Poila Boishakh, Puthandu: What The New Years Of India Mean
1/6
It's that time of the year again when people can catch a glimpse of India's diverse cultures. The Eastern, Northern & Southern parts of the country celebrate their first harvest festival of the year - Baisakhi, Bihu, Vishu, Poila Boishak & Puthandu - with vigour and fervour. Every year, the festivals fall on April 13 or April 14, based on the Hindu or Sikh Calendar.
Here's a look at how people celebrate their New Years...
It's that time of the year again when people can catch a glimpse of India's diverse cultures. The Eastern, Northern & Southern parts of the country celebrate their first harvest festival of the yea..
Read More
This year, Baisakhi falls on April 14.
On this day, Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of Sikhs, asked people to follow Sikhism in 1699, and the Khalsa community was formed.
The northern states of Punjab, Haryana and parts of Delhi celebrate this day with much fanfare. People get together, and perform bhangda and gidda on traditional folk songs and dhol. Men show off their gatka skills (traditional form of martial-arts of the Sikh.)
The Sikh community also observes it as the day of thanksgiving for abundant harvest, and pray for future prosperity.
This year, Baisakhi falls on April 14.
On this day, Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of Sikhs, asked people to follow Sikhism in 1699, and the Khalsa community was formed.
The northern stat..
Read More
This year, Vishu will fall on April 14.
The festival of lights and fireworks is celebrated in Kerala, and parts of Karnataka. People decorate their houses with diyas and lights, and burst firecrackers (locally called Vishupadakkam). The traditions of Vishu include the first auspicious view of the festive day (called Vishukkani Kazhcha), buying of new clothes for the occasion (called Puthukodi), giving money which is the first gift of the year (called Vishukkaineetam) and the feast consisted of food items that taste salty, sweet, sour and bitter (called Sadya).
The ritual arrangement (called Vishukkani) made on this auspicious day in the prayer room of the house includes a list of items that bring prosperity - rice, fruits, vegetables, betel leaves, arecanut, metal mirror, yellow flowers (called konna), holy texts and coins. The items are arranged a night before Vishu and is the first sight of Lord Vishnu on Vishu.
Devotees throng the Sabarimala Ayyappan and the Guruvayur temples to see the 'Vishukkani Kazhcha' during the Brahma Muhurtha, around 3.30 am.
This year, Vishu will fall on April 14.
The festival of lights and fireworks is celebrated in Kerala, and parts of Karnataka. People decorate their houses with diyas and lights, and burst firec..
Read More
Observed on April 15, 2018, Bohag Bihu is the widely celebrated across Assam, and parts of Manipur and Bengal. The Assamese celebrate Bihu thrice a year, which signify the distinct cycles of farming - Bhogali/Magh Bihu (January), Bohag/Rongali Bihu (April), and Kongali Bihu (October).
On the day of Bohag Bihu, various delicacies like Mangsho, Chira and Pitha are made. Women, men and children are seen singing, feasting, exchanging gifts, seeking blessings from elders, wearing new clothes, and performing the traditional Bihu dance on this day.
Observed on April 15, 2018, Bohag Bihu is the widely celebrated across Assam, and parts of Manipur and Bengal. The Assamese celebrate Bihu thrice a year, which signify the distinct cycles of farmi..
Read More
This year, Puthandu is being celebrated on April 14 in Tamil Nadu, and Tamil-dominated countries Sri Lanka and Mauritius. According to the Tamil Calendar Varusha Pirappu, Puthandu marks the first day of the first month (Chithirai).
The celebrations of Puthandu resonate to that of Vishu. The night before the auspicious day, a tray full of fruit, betel leaves, gold ornaments, silver jewellery, money/cash/coins and flowers are put together in the prayer room for the Lord to view as the first thing.
It is believed that the first view of these auspicious things brings happiness and prosperity for the rest of the year.
This year, Puthandu is being celebrated on April 14 in Tamil Nadu, and Tamil-dominated countries Sri Lanka and Mauritius. According to the Tamil Calendar Varusha Pirappu, Puthandu marks the first ..
Read More
This year, Poila Boishakh will be celebrated on April 15 in West Bengal, and parts of Tripura. According to the Bengali calendar, it is the first day of first month (called Baishakh), and people thank the divine forces for the harvest of the previous year and that to follow.
People decorate their houses with rangoli in their courtyards made with a paste of rice and water (called alpona).
Families get together on this auspicious day, and celebrate the new year with Bengali folk songs and dances in traditional attires. Small gatherings are held where children and adults take part in various activities like drawing/painting, dancing, poetry recitation, singing, etc.
This year, Poila Boishakh will be celebrated on April 15 in West Bengal, and parts of Tripura. According to the Bengali calendar, it is the first day of first month (called Baishakh), and people t..
