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:
2. Google.com
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