Kailpodh (also known as Kail Murtha) is the festival celebrating the appearance of the first ears of paddy and the start of the hunting season (it may be noted that hunting is banned by the Government of India and coconut shooting is done symbolic of the hunt). Note: Kail means stalk that bears fruit. Podh comes from the verb poliwhich means to shower. Hence the name Kailpodh symbolizing the appearance of the first ear of paddy which was traditionally the main source of livelihood for Kodavas. As soon as the first ears of paddy are seen on a stalk, a knot is tied to the stock and a verse is recited to the Pattaya (granary) assuring it that it will be filled from a bountiful harvest. In the past, the villagers of each naad would assemble in the naad temple and the astrologer would fix the date for the festival. While this custom is still in vogue in some naads, Kailpodh is celebrated on the 18th day of Kodava month Chinyaar which is typically 3rd day of September. The astrologer announces the auspicious day for the festival, the auspicious time for worshipping the weapons, the direction which hunting parties should take for the hunt, the names of men born under the nakshtra (star) that will bring luck in the hunt, the time at which to cut branches of trees to be used as cross-poles for trapping fish which is available in plenty in the streams and also the time when fiber or bark should be cut to make ropes that will be used in the hunt.