Narali Purnima
Narali Purnima festival is an important festival dedicated to Sea God . The festival of Narali Purnima or the Coconut festival is celebrated with great fervor and in a jubilant manner by Fisher community of the western coastal regions of India. It is observed on the ‘Purnima’ (full moon day) in the month of ‘Shravana’ in the Hindu calendar and therefore referred to as ‘Shravana Purnima’. This year....
Narali Purnima festival is an important festival dedicated to Sea God . The festival of Narali Purnima or the Coconut festival is celebrated with great fervor and in a jubilant manner by Fisher community of the western coastal regions of India. It is observed on the ‘Purnima’ (full moon day) in the month of ‘Shravana’ in the Hindu calendar and therefore referred to as ‘Shravana Purnima’. This year Narali Purnima falls on Monday, August 19, 2024. The word ‘Narali’ implies ‘coconut’ and ‘Purnima’ signifies the ‘full moon day.’ Coconut holds an important purpose on this day. During this festival, people offer coconuts to the sea. It is also believed that after this day the strength of the wind and the direction of the same changes in favors of fishing. Narali Purnima is observed with great zeal and enthusiasm in Maharashtra and adjoining Konkani regions. People from the fisherman community celebrate this festival to ward off unwanted incidents while sailing in the sea. The festival marks the end of the monsoon season in Maharashtra and beginning of the fishing and the water-trade amongst the fisherfolk
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Activities
Just a few days before the festival, fishermen repair their old fishing nets, paint their old boats or new boats are purchased or fishing nets are made. Then the boats are decorated with colourful buntings or flower garlands.
Devotees on the day of festival worship the Sea god Varun asking the God for its protection and blessings for a prosperous fishing season ahead.
The Brahmins in the state of Maharashtra perform the ‘Shravani Upakarma’ keep a fast on this day without consuming any form of grains. They keep the ‘phalahar’ vrat by eating only coconut all day long.
On the day of the festival, the traditional food which involves coconut is prepared like naraali bhaat or coconut rice.
The sea is holy to the fishermen as it is a means for their survival. They also offer pooja to the boats.
After completing the puja rituals, fishermen sail in the sea, in their ornately decorated boats. After making a short trip, they return to the shore and spend the rest of the day by dancing and singing.
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Organized By
Directorate of Tourism
Mumbai
Directorate of Tourism Sakhar Bhavan, 4th Floor, Plot No. 230, Nariman Point, Mumbai – 400021
9403878864
diot[at]maharashtratourism[dot]gov[dot]in
How to reach
The nearest airport is Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport,
which is 25 KMs away.
The nearest convenient railway station is Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus,
which is 2 KMs away.
The nearest major city is Mumbai,
which is 00KMs away.