Avarakai mela is an annual festival of beans held at V V Puram (also called Food Steet) in South Bengaluru usually in December-January. It didn't happen this year for obvious reasons.
During this festival, you get not only fresh beans from the farms but also many dishes that are made from avarakai, which is rich in fibre and proteins.
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| Source: The Hindu |
The festival was started in 2001 by the owners of Vasavi Condiments. At first, this gathering was only for the employees of the company. Later, it grew into a much popular festival.
It's during December-January that there is a surplus of avarakai. Farmers aren't always able to sell all of their produce, leading to wastage. According to one of the organisers, the festival originally came up as a solution for the problem the farmers faced -- an occasion to showcase fresh farm-fresh avarakai and also those yummy dishes.
This popular gathering lasts nearly a month, around 200,000 people visit annually.
By the way, the city is said to have got its name from "boiled beans". The legend has it that sometime in the 11th century, a king lost his way, and a woman served him boiled pulses. The king referred to the place as "benda-kaal-ooru" or town of boiled beans. That metamorphosed over time to Bengalooru and then Bengaluru.
References:
Avarekai anecdotes -- The Hindu
Bangalore's Avarekai Festival - Explocity
In Bengaluru, an ode to broad beans at the Avarekai Mela -- Indian Express
(In response to the comment below by Josna, the post has been revised to include a web link as attribution in the sentence that talks about the origin of the festival.)
Hari OM
ReplyDeleteOh, I say, I had not heard that name origin story before! And you made my mouth water... I need to make some dosa!!! Great start to the month my friend... YAM xx
Hi Yamini - Thank you, so much :-)
DeleteI did not know there was a festival for avarakai. Thanks for the info. I love that vegetable, especially avarakai molagootal.
ReplyDeleteFood festivals are fun.
ReplyDeleteThat name origin story is interesting. And a healthy festival for avarakkai or beans is something other cities could also emulate.
ReplyDeleteDestination Infinity
Hi Rajesh - A positive solution to a problem faced by farmers.
DeleteAn interesting read.
ReplyDeleteThere is another strange festival involving ground nuts or verkadalai celebrated at a temple in Basavangudi. You may ascertain about it for one of your posts
Hi KP - Yes. It is called "kadalekai parishe". That is also very popular. Thanks.
DeleteA new tradition! I'm all for that. A brilliant idea to think of a good way to sell all the surplus avarakai. And I had never heard that origin story for Bengaluru--true or apocryphal, I wonder?
ReplyDeleteHi Josna - That bit about the origin must be true, since it's the organisers who themselves have said. I should have attributed that to the organisers in my post, even though it's there in one of the links.
DeleteHi Pradeep - well done ... this will be interesting to read as you go through the A-Z ... I'll enjoy it - fascinating ... all the best - Hilary
ReplyDeleteAs always, it's a pleasure to read your posts Pradeep.
ReplyDeleteI've learnt the etymology of Bengaluru and enjoyed the mela virtually. Hopefully, one of these days, I'll get to taste the dishes too:)
Hi Arti - Thanks. O, you must; when it's safe to travel and come down to Bengaluru.
DeleteSo many things cancelled by Covid. Such a difficult time.
ReplyDeleteHi Wendy - Yes. I am sure the festival will be back next year!
Delete♫♫Beans beans the miracle fruit♪♫ I love beans, all kinds of beans. Bean hole beans are my favorite. Just dropping in from the #A-Z Blogging Challenge. Will visit again soon.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Crackerberries
Hi Crackerberries - Thanks for dropping by. Beans, my fave too.
DeleteOh la la, now I'm hungry ;) I love beans!
ReplyDeleteQuilting Patchwork & Appliqué - A = Abat-jour/Lampshade
That is super cool. I like when folks figure out how to reduce waste. Now I want masala dosa. :) Be well!
ReplyDeleteHi Darla - I hope you get masala dosa there! Thanks. Take care.
DeleteThat's a good way to cut down on waste. Too bad it couldn't be done this year. I hope next year will be better.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a lot of fun. Never been to a bean festival
ReplyDeleteSean
hisandherhobbies@blogspot.com
Hi Sean - O, yes. It's a real fun place.
DeleteSuch an interesting food festival, and this is a cool way to learn a city's history.
ReplyDeleteWe call this veggie Chikudikaya in Telugu. Not a fan, but would love to attend the mela one day. :)
Hi Srivalli - O, you must attend this mela. What I liked is the very unique concept behind the festival.
DeleteSome melas have interesting origins and this seems to belong to that category.
ReplyDeleteHi Tomi - Yes, indeed. Thanks.
DeleteThis is such an interesting festival. Thank you for writing about it.
ReplyDeleteHi Sunday Visitor - Thank you. :-)
DeleteI like this vegetable and my mother used to make it well with chapatti and sometimes even with rice would be tasty. I enjoyed reading this post, never heard of this festival and surprisingly a mela of this vegetable. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete