Madikeri:  Huthri or Puttari, the harvest festival of Kodagu, will be celebrated on Nov. 23. As per tradition, members of Bhakta Jana Sangha, 13 Thakkas of the district and elders assembled at Padi Igguthappa Temple at Kakkabe recently and decided on the date of the festival.

The festival Muhurtha was decided by Temple astrologer Shashikumar of Ammangeri Kaniyara family. Accordingly, the festival will be celebrated at the Temple on Nov. 23 along with the journey of the presiding deity to Malma Betta. After the celebrations at Padi Igguthappa Temple, people of Kodagu district celebrate the festival at their respective homes and fields.

On that day, the traditional harvest of paddy (Kadiru) will be conducted in Rohini Nakshatra at the Temple at 8.15 pm with the ‘Nere Kattuva’ ritual that will be done at the temple at 7.15 pm. Dinner (devapodh) will be served for devotees at the Temple at 9.15 pm.

For the public (naadpodh), 9.30 pm will be suitable for dinner, according to the priests.

Speaking on the occasion, Deva Thakka Paradanda Dali said that Huthri restriction (kattu) has been enforced on Nov. 9 and till the festival is complete, people related to temple, Thakkas are barred from conducting any auspicious ceremonies, consuming alcohol and eating non-vegetarian food. He requested the devotees and Thakkas to abide by the temple rules.