Prominent festival of Kodavas, ‘Kail Poldu’ was celebrate across Kodagu on Monday. As a part of the festival all the agricultural implements and the weapons used by for hunting were offered prayers.

The term ‘Kail Poldu’ is equivalent to Kannada ‘Ayudha Puje,’ which means worshipping the weapons. It is said that Kodavas who were basically the Kshathriyas used weapons such as wipers, sickles, swords for hunting.

The practice was that during the harvesting seasons (Simha Masa), they used to leave these weapons in the ‘Kannikombare’ (prayer rooms) of their respective houses.

As the Simha Masa and the harvest works both ends in ‘Kail’ muhurtha, the Kodavas bring their weapons out of the ‘Kannikombare’ to set out for hunting.

Along with the weapons, they also clean and worship the agricultural implements such as the plough etc. After worshipping the weapons, the delicacies of this festival such as ‘Kadambattu’, vermicelli, ‘Pandikari’ are served.
In rural regions, rural spots of shooting at the coconuts are held.

The significance of the festival is the very spirit of the Kodavs which has kept this tradition laid down by their ancesters still alive.

The same was celebrated in Ponnampet with great devotion. Kodava Community leader Mookalemada Muttappa worshipped all weapons.

Kushalnagar Sahithya Academy former president Bacharaniyanda P Appanna organised an exhibition of Kodava antique weapns and implements in his residence on the day, which attracted lot of visitors.

‘Bal Katti’, ‘Piche Katti’, ‘Ambh Katti’, ‘Koya Katti’, ‘Pil Katti’, ‘Maradudi’, ‘Mabatta’, ‘Latinu’, ‘Bacherate’ and other implements and weapons were on display.