A folklore behind traditional order of serving food at a feast

We all have heard several stories behind customs followed in day-to-day life. They help us to remember what the family elder is trying to teach us and also, gives us a reason to adhere to such customs.

If you’re familiar with Indian customs of treating the guests, you will most certainly know that serving them feast plays the most important part in honoring them. In other words, we Indians literally adhere to “Athithi Devo Bhava”, meaning Guests are Divine when we serve them feast.

In Southern India, feast is usually served in a huge banana leaf, which is called Thalai Vazhai Ilai in Tamil. More importantly, the order in which the items are served is crucial. Always, and I mean ALWAYS, the vegetables are served before the staple food rice. Here’s why:

In this article, we take you to the day Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya to claim his rightful place as King. Emerging victorious in the battle against Lankeshwar and happily reunited with his family, a joyful Lord Rama comes home to a celebratory feast.

While all his brothers enjoy each other’s company and family keeps family busy, there was only one person that Lord Rama wanted to share his meal with – Lord Hanuman. The humble bhakt that He is, Hanuman is overjoyed at Rama’s invitation to feast with him.

Sitting down to eat, Rama surprises Hanuman even more by asking him to eat from the same banana leaf as him. This was Rama’s gesture to show his love and gratitude to his loyal Hanuman for being by his side throughout the war and beyond.  

Now, Lord Hanuman, the head of Vanara Sena is said to prefer vegetables and fruits for food. Therefore, Lord Rama serves all the vegetables and fruits on Hanuman’s half of the banana leaf. And only then his food is served on the other half of the leaf. This gesture too, emphasizes on the importance of putting your guest first.

To this day, all South Indian households follow the custom of serving vegetables first and then the staple. Be it ceremonies or even restaurants, you may notice this custom being followed.

So, the next time you come across a Thalai Vazhai Ilai Virundhu (feast), remember the everlasting bond of love and friendship shared between two great warriors and the reverence they had towards each other.

May you, my dear reader, be blessed to experience the joy of sharing!