There are three important festivals in Coorg - Keilpoldu, Kaveri Sankaramana and the Puthari.
Keilpoldu/ Keilmurta (June to September)
From June to September the Kodavas are fully devoted to agriculture. September marks the end of the sowing of the paddy as also the season of agricultural work. Keilpoldu, or the festival of arms, is the day when all the weapons and arms are removed, polished, worshipped and taken up once again. The occasion is marked by festivities that include a great feast followed by a gathering at the village green for sports and games. Races are conducted and competitions of marksmanship are held. As the grand finale the men usually set out on hunt.
Kaveri Sankaramana (October)
This festival is the celebration of river Kaveri. Which has a very big influence in a Kodava’s life. As agriculturists, their entire economy and prosperity depends on availability of water, amply provided by the river Cauvery, which flows through the district. On this auspicious day in October at a pre-determined time, mother Cauvery springs like a fountain from a small tank and fills the bigger holy tank in Talacauvery, the point of origin of the river. People throng the place in thousands to take a holy dip in this water. This water is filled in bottles and reaches every house in Kodagu and this is treated as Theertha - meaning holy water. It marks the emerging or taking birth of Goddess Cauveri at a place called Tala Cauveri.
Puthari/Huthari (November/December)
this is the harvest festival of Coorg. During this festival folk songs and dances are displayed. It is observed in November/December. Each village presents its own set of discipline and dances during the annual fairs at its temple, which is the main centre of cultural activities. When the Paddy Crop is ready for the harvest, a little crop is cut, bound in small bunches and handed out to all those present to be taken home and preserved as a sign of prosperity.
