Narali Purnima, The Coconut Festival of Fishermen
This part we present a unique festival that is associated with monsoons, it is Narali Purnima which is also called the coconut festival that is usually associated with the fishermen of Kokan and Maharashtra regions.
Narali Purnima, also known as Shravana Purnima, is celebrated with great enthusiasm at coastal Maharashtra and Konkan region. The festival marks the departure of monsoon by the Koli communities.
Narali Purnima, also known as ‘Nariyal Purnima’ or ‘Coconut Day’ is celebrated on ‘Purnima’ in the Hindu month of ‘Shravan’ (also called as Sawan) which coincides with the months of July-August according to Gregorian calendar. The word ‘Narali Purnima’ is derived from two words ‘Narali’ implying ‘coconut’ and ‘Purnima’ signifying ‘full moon day’. Hence coconut holdsspecial importance for the day. On this day, fishermen offer coconut to the God of the sea to protect them from all sorts of untoward incidents.
This festival is an ode to Rain- god, Varun. According to the ritual associated with the festival, coconuts are thrown into the sea as offerings to Varun. Coconut has three eyes and is believed to represent Lord Shiv – the three eyed god. In Hindu rituals, coconut plays a prominent role in all religious offerings. Several auspicious occasions are started with coconut-breaking in front of the deities.
On this day people go to the sea-shores or river-banks and offer coconuts to the Sea-god. It is believed that with the Varuna’s blessings sea-trade will become fruitful and prosper. Hindu married women gather together, play games, sing and dance and put kumkum tilak (Vermilion mark) on each others forehead as the symbol of good luck. They eat together, enjoy the festival and then bid farewell to each other. Fisher-folk welcome this day as the heavy rains finally stop.
Coconuts are offered to the sea god, boats are decorated and oil lamps are released into the sea. After completing the puja rituals, fishermen take a short trip in the sea on their decorated boats. Dancing and singing are the other activities of the day. The Catholic fishermen community in Goa celebrates the day as the feast of St Lawrence. In 2019, Narali Purnima falls on August 15.
According to the legend, it is said the fury of the waves has fully spent itself and therefore the fishermen can set sail again. They give a new look to their boats and decorate with colorful flags. Later the boats are taken out in a procession where everybody sing and dance collectively. Finally after praying to the sea-god, they immerse that coconut in the water. After the ceremony is over sweets made from coconut like coconut-burfi and sweet coconut rice are served.
Coconut forms the staple food of the day and various dishes like ‘narali bhaat’ (coconut rice) and ‘narali karanji’, a deep-fried snack dumpling stuffed with coconut. To show gratitude towards nature, people plant trees on the day. People also worship Lord Shiva as it is believed that the three eyes of coconut are the depiction of Lord Shiva’s eyes. People also celebrate the day by planting trees as a respect and gratitude towards the nature.
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