During Puthari festival in Kodagu, everything will revolve around 'Mandh,' an open public space found in every village within the district. This area holds significant importance for all residents, particularly members of the Kodava community.
The Mandh serves as a spiritual and socio-economic hub, akin to an open-air temple, for the Kodava community. It functions as a village green typically featuring a sap-exuding tree, commonly a pipal tree.
The main Kodava festivals comprise Kailpodh, Kaveri Sankramana, and Puthari. Specifically, during Puthari festival celebrations, the villagers utilize the Mandh. Throughout festival, the entire village gathers at the Mandh, where various physical contests and sports, including shooting, take place.
Also Read: Kodagu Celebrates Puthari: A Harvest Festival of Tradition, Devotion, and Cultural Splendor
Various types of Mandh in Kodagu are the 'Panchayati Mandh' which is for business transactions. The 'Devara Mandh' is dedicated to dances performed in honor of Goddess Bhagavati, particularly during Puthari days and the 'Oor Mandh' serves as the village's central location for Puthari performances.
In the Kodava language, a cluster of villages is referred to as 'Naad.' In the eight nights leading up to Puthari, the men of the village practice ‘Puthari Kolaata’, a dance performed in a circle with sticks in hand, under the moonlight at the Mandh.
The day following Puthari, Kodava community members reconvene at the village Mandh to partake in the village 'Puthari Kolaata.' Subsequently, a couple of days later, men from various villages assemble at the Naad Mandh to engage in the Naad Kolaata. This tradition continues for several evenings, with the men actively participating in the Kolaata.
In addition to these, the Kodava community showcases numerous folk dances, predominantly presented at the Mandh during celebrations or festivals. Bolakaat, Kombaat, Kolaat, Kathiaat, Peeliaat, and Chowriaat are among the folk dances performed by men. Many of these dances bear a resemblance to martial arts practices.
Several days later, the village congregates at the Mandh for the 'oor-orme' (village gathering), marking the conclusion of the Puthari festival.
In addition to Puthari, the Mandh serves as a venue for the Kailpodh festival celebrations. In the afternoon, people bring their guns and odikattis (broad swords) to the village Mandh. They take aim at coconut shells and engage in shooting activities. Following this, they demonstrate their skill by cutting three banana stalks each with single, precise strokes.
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