Madikeri:  Kodagu’s annual harvest festival, ‘Puthari,’ symbolising the first harvest of the paddy crop, will be celebrated on Dec. 14, coinciding with the auspicious Rohini Nakshatra.

The date of the festival was finalised last Friday at the Paadi Sri Igguthappa Temple in Kakkabe, following astrological guidance from astrologers in Ammangeri. Representatives from 13 families and temple office-bearers gathered to determine the festival’s date and timings.

Astrologer Shashikumar, along with the Kaniyara Nanjappa family, based the decision on traditional astrological readings. Prayers were offered in the presence of Paradanda Subramani Kaverappa, and chief priests Kusha Bhatt and Jagadish performed the rituals, distributing theertha prasada after the meeting.

The celebration at Paadi Igguthappa Temple will begin with Nere Kattuva (tying the sheaf) ritual at 7.30 pm on Dec. 14, aligning with Rohini Nakshatra. This will be followed by the reaping of the season’s first paddy (Kadiru) at 8.30 pm, and the distribution of prasadam at 9.30 pm.

For the public and households across Kodagu, the celebration timings are as follows: Nere Kattuva at 7.50 pm, followed by the reaping of paddy at 8.50 pm, and the feast at 9.50 pm.

‘Puthari’ is observed during the Kodava month of Birchiyar, which aligns with November and December in Gregorian calendar.

As a precursor to ‘Puthari,’ the Kalladcha Festival will take place at Paadi Igguthappa Temple on Dec. 13, in keeping with the district’s long-standing traditions.