Kani Pooja

The Kani Pooja is done after Kaveri Shankramana in every kodava home. On this auspicious day, married women clad in new silk saris engage in a sacred ritual known as Kani Pooja, dedicated to a chosen vegetable – typically a cucumber or coconut. The vegetable is delicately wrapped in a piece of red silk cloth, adorned with flowers and precious jewels, notably the "Pathak" (Kodava Mangalasuthra), symbolizing the goddess Kaveri. This ritual is referred to as Kanni Puje, with "Kanni" representing the goddess Parvati, believed to manifest as Kaveri.

Before the adorned goddess, three sets of betel leaves and areca nuts are placed, accompanied by clusters of glass bangles. All the members of the family pray to the goddess by throwing rice and prostrating before the image. The elder members of the family ceremonially bless the younger.

Following these sacred rites, an older married woman fetches water from the well and starts the culinary preparations. The day's menu typically features dosa and vegetable curry, often opting for a pumpkin curry known as "kumbala kari," complemented by the sweet delicacy, payasa. It is noteworthy that on this particular day, only vegetarian cuisine is consumed.