Coorg Festival

Coorg is unique in many ways, and so is their culture. The cultural life is dependent on village and family life. Whilst, they celebrate all Hindu festivals, a couple of these festivals are the exclusive hall mark of Coorg region.

Kailpodhu

This festival signifies the end of paddy sowing seasonand thus the cessation of agriculture working season.  The formal transplantation of paddy crop is recognised, as the start of the festivities. The men folk gear themselves to protect the crops from invasion of wild animals especially the boar.

The festival commences with the weapons cleaned and decorated with flowers. A central court yard or the central hall in the house where the family members gather to perform the ritual of worshipping the weapons.  Feasting and drinking follows on conclusion of the puja.

Kaveri Sankramana

 As the very name suggests, this festival a major festival in Coorg is associated with the River Cauvery. This time around, the source of the River Cauvery rises and it is an annual feature.

The locals come to the river bank to take a holy dip. On the occasion of Teerthodbhava day, The locals could be seen cutting the branches of the Ponge tree, generally found in the forest.  On the following morning women folkswould fill a platter of rice spread on 3 betel leaves, and a coconut and cucumber wrapped in red scarf is kept alongside. A lamp is also lit and there after the family will gather and discharge the rice and cucumber to invoke the Godess Cauvery seeking  her blessings by touching the platter and placing their hands on their forehead.  The menu for the day is totally vegetarian food and generally it is dosa, vegetable curry and kheer (payasa).

Puttari

This is a traditional harvest festivals of the Coorgis. Generally, the celebrations occur either in November or early December.It occurs on the full moon night wherein family members in every village gather and offer their prayers to the almighty thus, showing gratitude for an unblemished crop harvest. Houses are decorated with mango  and banana leaves and the celebrations conclude with preparations like thambuttu, puttari, kari and poli.