Kerala Temple Serves Traditional Onam Feast to Resident Monkeys

A temple in Kerala gives its nearby monkeys a special Onam meal.

The meal is called vanara sadya, which means a feast for monkeys.

People serve rice, dal, vegetables, pickles and other festival foods on banana leaves.

The monkeys wait nearby until the people finish serving and move away.

Then one group comes in and eats before another group takes its turn.

A monkey known locally as Murivaalan was described as the first to approach in one account.

The tradition has continued for many decades, with one account saying it began 53 years ago.

Temple workers and devotees also feed the monkeys on other days.

The people who continue the practice believe the happiness of Onam should include animals too.