Kollam: As Keralites celebrate Onam - the annual harvest festival with sumptuous 'Onam Sadhya' or the traditional Onam feast, a troop of monkeys at Sasthamkotta temple of Kollam district have been enjoying this delicacy for over 35 years now.
According to reports, no efforts were spared as the monkeys receive their annual delicacy served on the royal plantain leaf.
The temple authorities have taken extra care to ensure all the varieties of dishes ranging from pickle to 'payasam,' a kind of pudding, are served at the temple premises for the monkeys.
As the food was being served the troop leader, 'Andrews' tasted the dishes and gave his seal of approval before the entire team descended from the trees.
The mass feast is termed as 'Vanarabhojana Sadhya,' and local residents throng the temple to witness this traditional practice.
Aravindakshan Nair, a native of the district is believed to have started this custom and it continues every Onam day.
The state government has made elaborate arrangements for celebrating Onam this year. The spirit of Onam would give strength to the people of the state to come out of the difficulties caused due to the devastating floods, State Culture Minister A K Balan had said, inaugurating the celebrations at nearby Tripunithura, capital of the erstwhile Royal Kingdom of Kochi.
According to legends, the festival is celebrated by all regardless of faith, religion and caste, to welcome King Mahabali, whose spirit is believed to visit Kerala at the time of Onam to see his subjects.
The festival falls during the Malayalam month of Chingam (August to September) and marks the commemoration of the Vamana Avatar of Lord Vishnu as well as the subsequent homecoming of the mythical King Mahabali, whom Malayalees consider as their monarch.
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