Festivals of India

Narali Purnima

Narali Purnima, also known as ‘Coconut Day’ takes place mostly in Maharasthra & Kerala. It is an important festival celebrated majorly by Hindu fishing community in the western coastal regions of India. They celebrate this festival to ward off untoward incidents while sailing in the sea. It is observed on the ‘Purnima’ (full moon day) in the month of ‘Shravana’ in the Hindu calendar, which is referred as ‘Shravana Purnima’. The word ‘Narali’ is derived from ‘Naral’ or ‘Nariyal’ (coconut) and ‘purnima’ signifies the ‘full moon day’ and therefore coconut holds an important purpose on this day.

On the day of Narali Festival, fishermen of Maharashtra worship Samudra (Sea God) and Varuna Deva (Rain God). On this occasion, a ‘nariyal’ (coconut) is offered to the Sea God. It is believed that brightly performing the puja rituals on Shravana Purnima, they can please the Lord and seek His protection from all dangers of the sea. Coconut is important for all religious occasions. Thus, coconut is considered to be an ideal offering to the Sea God as well. On Narali Purnima, devotees also offer prayers to Shiva as it is believed that the three eyes of coconut are a depiction of 3-eyed Lord Shiva. The ‘Upnayan’ and ‘Yagyopaweet’ rituals are among the most widely followed rituals. On Narali Purnima, as a gesture of gratitude and respect towards Mother Nature, people also plant coconut trees along the coast.

After the Puja, fishermen sail in the sea, in their ornately decorated boats. They perform the pooja to the Sea God to protect them from natural calamities. A coconut is broken in front of the deities before taking up a new venture to seek blessings. Narali Poornima marks the monsoon season and represents the beginning of new fishing period.

Pieces of coconut and coconut are distributed as 'prasad'. Coconut rice is the main dish on this day. Dancing and singing form the main attraction of this festival.

In the other regions of the country, the festival of Narali Purnima coincides with other festivals like ‘Shravani Purnima’, ‘Raksha Bandhan’ and ‘Kajari Poornima’. Even though the traditions and cultures may differ, the significance remains the same.

Image Curtesy:

1. https://www.maharashtratourism.gov.in/maharashtra/festival/narali-pournima-or-raksha-bandhan

2. Google.com

An Unknown Story of A Popular Festival - Raksha Bandhan

In India, Raksha Bandhan is one of the most important festivals; celebrated during the month of August. The day is usually the full moon day of the Hindu month Shravan. It is a special occasion to celebrate the emotional bond of love between a brother and a sister, by tying a holy thread called ‘Rakhi’ around the right wrist of the brother. It signifies that the strong must protect the weak from all that’s evil. There are so many popular historical and mythological stories are behind this festival; but today, I want to share a quite unknown story of Raksha Bandhan.

It was July 1905. Lord Curzon, the contemporaneous Viceroy of India, announced the Partition of Bengal. As details of the plan became public knowledge, prominent Bengalis began a series of demonstrations against partition and a boycott of British products. At that time, the Indian first Nobel Laureate for literature, Rabindranath Tagore took initiative to take the British Emperor back their decision. They wanted to break the unity of Hindus and Muslims in during India's colonial era. Rabindranath Tagore used the idea of Raksha Bandhan to spread the feeling of brotherhood. He arranged a ceremony to celebrate Raksha Bandhan to strengthen the bond of love and togetherness between Hindus and Muslims of Bengal, and urge them to protest the British Empire together. He composed a poem titled "Rakhi" and marched through Calcutta with Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Aurobindo Ghosh for a holy mass dip in the Ganges. They tied rakhi to people's hands as a symbol of the unbreakable unity of Bengal. In certain parts of India, especially to the east, Hindus and Muslims tie rakhis to each other to promote communal harmony.

Unfortunately, all the efforts were unsuccessful; But, the Rakhi Mahotsavas, started by Rabindranath Tagore remain as a symbol of Bengal unity, and as a larger community festival of harmony. In parts of West Bengal, his tradition continues as people tie rakhis not only to brothers, as well as to their neighbors and close friends.

This year, Rakhi Bandhan festival falls on 7^th August; and 22 Shravan according to Bengali calendar, which is the death anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore. I salute this great soul from the core of my heart.