Date:03/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/03/stories/2008090353792300.htm

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Payasa melas begin today

Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) is organising Payasa melas in tourist centres and main cities in the State in connection with Onam.

Tourism and Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan will inaugurate the melas at a State-level function in Hotel Chaithram at Thampanoor on Wednesday.

The hotels run by the corporation across the State will spread out Ona Sadya on September 12, Thiruvonam day, its chairman, Cherian Philip, said.

The Payasa melas held in the previous year in the KTDC units across the State were a success and the rates were kept to the minimum to cater to the common man, he said.

This year, 1 litre of payasam will cost Rs. 150, half litre Rs. 80 and a cup Rs. 20.

The payasam will be packed in oven-proof plastic jars.

‘Navarasam,’ tender coconut, jackfruit, mango, pineapple, banana, wheat, ‘parippu,’ gooseberry, bitter gourd, carrot, ‘semia,’ ‘ada’ and ‘palada’ will be among the payasams.