Coorg - district in Karnataka

Kodagu district

Indian district

Kodagu, also known by its anglicised former name of Coorg, is an administrative district in Karnataka, India. It occupies an area of 4,102 square kilometres in the Western Ghats of southwestern Karnataka. Wikipedia

The unique jewellery of Coorg only accentuates the beauty of the beautiful women of Coorg. Kodava jewellery is unique in that it’s inspired by the elements of nature; serpents, fruits, the moon, sun and stars form the design of this jewellery. While the jewellery is distinct, it reflects the influence of states neighbouring Coorg.

The ‘Karthamani’ and ‘Pathak’ are ornaments that symbolize marriage in Coorg. The former has black beads 
that adorn a gold chain and is sometimes made with merely 2 grams of gold. The ‘Pathak’ displays rubies 
and a cobra and has engravings of Lakshmi or Queen Victoria.

The ‘Kokkethathi’, a crescent shaped pendant framed with sea pearls and strung with gold beads on a 
26 inch long chain, is mandatory for the Kodava bride.

Kokkethathi

The Coorg bride wears beautiful bangles called ‘Kadagas’ – hollow gold bangles that clasp her wrist.
The Kodava woman’s head ornaments have a head piece designed with carvings of Shiva and Parvathy,
and is held in position with three strands of hair woven through a slit in the jewel.

As the bride walks towards the ‘Mantap’, her feet become prominent. The silver jewellery adorning her feet is exclusively Kodava, and represents the finest local craftsmanship.

Kodavas’ earrings are generally made of gold, ruby and pearls! The jewellery uses a small amount of
metal beaten to paper thinness.