The Vanara Sadya (feast for monkeys) offered at Shri Dharma Sastha temple at Sasthamkotta in Kollam district depicts an example of equality amongst all living beings. Here, many dishes are offered to monkeys from the sadya on Uthradam onwards. Onasadya is given in place of the regular food to the monkeys. It is said the presence of monkeys in this temple can be traced back to the time of Lord Sri Ram. Legend has it that a troop of monkeys was assigned as attendants to Lord Ayyappan at Sasthamkotta as they returned to Ayodhya after killing Ravana. Elders who live around Sasthamkotta confirm that the ritual goes back at least 50 years. Aviyal and payasam are a favourite among the monkeys there. Other popular foods include poppadom, sharkaravaratti and banana chips. The temple draws crowds who are keen on watching monkeys being served Onasadya.
Vanara sadya is also performed at Sri Kallely Oorali Appooppan Kavu situated at Konni in Pathanamthitta district. Here, the sadya is presented as a vazhipadu (offering) at a price of Rs 501 to Hanuman with a prayer for his protection from poverty and enemies.
Edailakkadu in Kasargod district is another place where Vanara sadya is offered on Uthradam. It is said a woman in the area had been carrying out this ritual for almost 20 years. It is done on the day of Avittom. Now it is performed under the initiative of Navodaya Granthalayam Balavedi with the support of people from the community. Offerings include slices of tomato, beetroot, carrot, cucumber, ivy gourd, passion fruit, banana, pineapple and coconut along with rice and poppadom. The sadya is served on a tender banana leaf which has been laid on a table. Vanara sadya has been held for many years in this part of north Malabar with much gaiety and public participation.
