Onam with Kondody Hotels is an exclusive celebration designed for our cherished guests and dedicated team members. On Thursday, September 5, 2025, the festivities will come alive across our destinations, with Munnar and Thekkady serving as welcoming hubs. Each property will add its own unique touch of color and warmth to the day. Guests, families, and friends are invited to join the day’s programmes and savor authentic flavors, joyful games, and heartfelt hospitality at the best resorts in Kerala.
A Day of Tradition and Togetherness
The day’s rhythm at our hotels and resorts is unhurried, ensuring that elders, little ones, and adventure lovers all feel at home. It’s a day of shared stories, gentle music, playful competitions, and an unforgettable Onam Sadhya served on banana leaves. Brass nilavilakku lamps glow across the lobby and restaurants, while the soft instrumentals of the chenda and flute keep the atmosphere alive.
The day begins as early as 7:00 AM with a special Kerala-style breakfast, offering traditional dishes that set the festive tone. By 9:30 AM, guests gather for the communal pookkalam alongside staff, an activity that brings color and community together. This collaborative floral carpet sets the tone for a day of shared gratitude and joy.
Playful Competitions for All Ages
The first round of Onam games unfolds at 10:00 AM, featuring classics that celebrate teamwork and laughter. This includes:
- Uriyadi (Pot Breaking): A test of skill and timing where blindfolded participants try to break a clay pot.
- Vadamvali (Tug of War): A spirited contest that invites guests and staff to pull together, building camaraderie and friendly rivalry.
- Sundari Mundari: A fun, lighthearted dress-up contest specifically for children.
By 11:30 AM, guests can settle in for a storytelling session on Kerala’s folk tales, including the legend of King Mahabali. A special photo session with a staff member dressed as King Mahabali follows at noon, creating a special memento for every family.
The Grand Onam Sadhya: A Culinary Masterpiece
The heart of our celebration is the grand Onam Sadhya, a feast of over 20 vegetarian dishes that begins at 12:30 PM. Prepared with meticulous care, the Sadhya reflects the depth of Kerala’s rich culinary heritage. Chefs begin their preparations well in advance, sourcing fresh coconut, plantains, matta rice, curry leaves, and seasonal produce to ensure every dish is perfect.
A Feast for the Senses
The feast begins with a refreshing selection of welcome drinks and familiar snacks:
- Welcome Drinks: Sambharam (spiced buttermilk with curry leaves and ginger) and Panakam (a jaggery and lemon cooler) arrive chilled to revive the senses.
- Snacks: Before the main spread, guests can enjoy nostalgic favorites like Upperi (banana chips), Sharkara Varatti (jaggery-coated crisps), Ethakka Appam (banana fritters), Parippu Vada (lentil fritters), and Unniyappam (sweet rice-banana dumplings).
The main course is presented thoughtfully on a traditional banana leaf, following a specific order of placement. The extensive menu includes a wide variety of flavors and textures:
- Pickles & Condiments: Salt, Lemon Pickle, Mango Pickle, and Inji Puli (a sweet and sour ginger-tamarind chutney).
- Dry Dishes: Thoran (a sautéed vegetable dish with grated coconut), Avial (a dense mixture of mixed vegetables and coconut), Kalan (a sour curry made of curd and vegetables), and Olan (a light dish with white gourd and coconut milk).
- Gravies & Curries: The meal is anchored by Kerala red boiled rice, served with Parippu (a lentil curry) and nayyi (ghee), followed by Sambar, Rasam, and Pacha Moru (spiced buttermilk).
- Other Specialties: The spread also features Erissery (a thick pumpkin and black-eyed pea curry), Kootu Curry (a mix of vegetables and chickpeas), and Ulli Theeyal (a rich curry with shallots and roasted coconut).
The culinary journey culminates with a trio of classic desserts, served to bring the feast to a sweet close: Ada Pradhaman, Parippu Payasam, and Ari Payasam.
Presentation that Honors Tradition
Service teams, dressed in traditional kasavu saree and mundu, guide guests through each course. Clay pots, brass serveware, and banana leaf-style plates are used for those who prefer plated dining. To cater to diverse palates without diluting tradition, a small fusion side counter is included, featuring innovative takes on Kerala flavors like jackfruit pancakes and tapioca croquettes. Herbal jeera water or lime water is also available to ensure guests feel light and refreshed.
Festive Hubs and Resort-Specific Delights
While our Onam with Kondody Hotels celebration is a group affair for our guests and staff, each property adds its own distinctive touch.
- Munnar Hub: Amberdale is the central venue for Munnar, where guests and employees from Amberdale and The Valle Resort celebrate together. The festivities here include traditional attire, fragrant floral patterns at the portico, and photo memories with our friendly King Mahabali.
- Thekkady Hub: Greenwoods becomes the festive home for Thekkady. Guests from Greenwoods and Mystic Mayapott come together here for the Onam special day. A highlight of their celebration is the Payasam Tasting Contest at 4:00 PM, a sweet and friendly competition.
In addition, our other properties offer intimate celebrations:
- Haze & Kites in Munnar prepares intimate pookkalams and family-friendly games with soft music on the lawns.
- Maram Resort in Mamalakandam celebrates amid forest calm, with craft corners for children and storytelling that links the landscape to Onam’s spirit.
- The Hive in Wayanad offers an evening tea, melodies, and a cozy Sadhya for its in-house guests.
Each celebration ensures that the festival remains close to its community while still feeling part of the Kondody Hotels family.
A Day that Moves with You
The pace of the day is unhurried, balancing lively movement with thoughtful pauses. The afternoon brings a second round of games—lemon-spoon races, musical chairs to Kerala folk tunes, and sack races. As the sun begins to set, families return for evening party games and prize announcements that close the celebration on a warm, communal note.
The simple acts of our chefs and service teams turn a festive meal into a smooth, welcoming experience at the best resorts in Kerala. From the carefully labeled dishes for dietary preferences to the quiet guidance on how to enjoy the Sadhya, every detail is considered. It is this commitment to heartfelt hospitality that defines our reputation as one of the finest 5 star resorts in Kerala.
When your heart seeks festive belonging, you will find it here among friends, in the company of flavors and stories cherished across generations—a genuine Onam with Kondody Hotels. The day is designed for every guest to enjoy at their own comfort level and return to their rooms smiling, filled with the warmth and abundance of Onam.
