The Kaveri festival of Tulasangam is especially important to the Coorgs or Kodavas, the major ethnic group in the district. A bath in the river during the Tula month at least once in a lifetime is a must for the Kodavas, many of whom are named Kaveri or Kaveriyappa. At one time, affluent Kodavas would throw gold coins and ornaments into the tank, a sort of gift for their daughter Kaveri as she set out on her long journey to join her husband, the sea!
The Kodavas are a sturdy, handsome and brave people, fiercely proud of and loyal to their customs and way of life.
The Kodavathis (Coorg women) have a distinctive style of wearing the saree, and thereby hangs a quaint story. It is said that Parvathi once appeared to Kodagu prince Devakantha in a dream and asked him to assemble all his people at a place called Valamburi. She promised to manifest herself there. As everyone waited, Parvathi rushed down the mountain in the guise of a river. Such was the force of the torrent that the women's sarees were turned back 180 degrees. To this day, Kodavathis tie their sarees the other way round!


And Kaveri, in appreciation perhaps, of the reverence and affection shown to her, has endowed Kodagu with nature's plenty. This beautiful district abounds in bamboo, teak and sandalwood forests, besides the ubiquitous coffee plantations and paddy fields.