Sadya at your doorstep, payasams in boxes, Vishukkani items as special kits – the expat Malayali community in the Gulf is all set to celebrate Vishu in the most authentic way they can. Many are flocking the super and hyper markets to buy vegetables and the golden-hued ‘Kanni konna’ (Indian laburnum) to make the spring harvest festival of Vishu, which is believed to bring good luck in the coming year, memorable.
Most of the Malayali expatriates, who love to celebrate the festivals of Kerala, are looking forward to celebrate Vishu, which marks the beginning of the astronomical new year in the Malayalam calendar. This year, everyone is over the moon as Vishu falls on Sunday (April 14), which is a holiday in the UAE. The long Eid holidays gave ample time for the Malayalis to meticulously plan for the Vishu festival.
Unlike the past four years, when Vishu celebrations were subdued due to the COVID-19 pandemic or coincided with Ramadan fasting, the Malayali expatriates are now wholeheartedly embracing the festivities with fervour.
Vishu kits
Supermarkets are stocked with an array of essential ingredients such as golden melons, pumpkins, ash gourds, mangoes, raw bananas, plantain flowers, elephant yams, long beans, drumsticks, and plantain leaves to prepare the sumptuous Vishu feast. Additionally, shops offer items that form part of the Vishu ‘kani’, symbolizing abundance and hope.
A compact Vishu kit, which contains vegetables and fruits that are needed to celebrate the festival, is available at AED 26.95. Chopped and diced vegetables are also available in the market. Kits that include rice are also up for grabs.
Vishu sadya at your doorstep
If you can book in advance, the Lulu Hypermarket will deliver the delicious sadya, the traditional Kerala feast, at your doorstep on Vishu day. Moreover, dishes such as ‘aviyal’, ‘sambar’ and ‘kootukari’ can be bought separately too.
Galore of payasams
As many as 19 types of ‘payasams’ (sweet pudding) are also available for delivery. The ‘payasams’ include ‘chakka pradhaman’, ‘mampazha payasam’, pumpkin and elephant yam ‘payasam’, dates ‘payasam’, ‘ada pradhaman’, ‘palada pradhaman’, ‘parippu payasam’, ‘paal payasam’, ‘semiya’, carrot ‘payasam and sugar-free ‘payasam’, among others. A kilogram of ‘payasam’ costs AED 22.
