Kodagu celebrated its traditional Puttari festival with devotion, welcoming Dhanyalakshmi-the first sheaf of paddy-into homes.
Across temples and households, people tied and cut the ears of paddy at the designated auspicious time.
The festival commenced with the symbolic harvesting of Pairu (ear of paddy) at the Padi Igguthappa Temple. Priests and traditional elders performed the rituals and harvested the ears of corn in the temple fields.
At the historic Sri Omkareshwara Temple and Kodava Samaja in Madikeri, special prayers were offered. The harvested ears were worshipped and then distributed among devotees.  The Bhagandeshwara Temple in Bhagamandala witnessed an enthusiastic celebration.
At the appointed moment, Pairu was harvested and worshipped, and the goddess of grain was welcomed with the proclamation “Polipoli Deva,” followed by distribution of the harvested ears.
At homes, after the customary night vigil, families proceeded to their fields, harvested the ears of paddy and brought them home. The family elder prayed for the wellbeing of all.
