Narali Purnima (Coconut Day) 2019 Date: History, Significance and Celebrations of Shravani Poornima Festival in Maharashtra

Narali Purnima also spelt as Narali Pournima is a significant celebration marked by people living along the coastal areas of Maharashtra, the Konkan region. A festive celebration of the Hindus of the fishing community, this day is marked with great fervour and falls on the same day as Raksha Bandhan. Narali Purnima 2019 will be marked on August 15 this year, with that also being Indian Independence Day, this day will be seeing great celebrations. The day is essentially celebrated by the Kolis by offering a coconut to sea and praying for safety to start off the fishing again. So it is a festival of great importance for the fishing community as after the Narali Purnima Puja, they resume their fishing trades. This day is also known as Coconut Day. Enjoy Your Somvar Vrat With These Delectable Fast-Friendly Food & Recipes.

The word Narali is derived for the word Naral which means a coconut, while Purnima is the full moon day. So offering a coconut is one of the main traditions of marking this day. Narali Purnima falls on the full moon day of the holy month of Shravan. So on Shravani Purnima, fishermen head to the sea, rivers or creeks to offer coconut at high tide and pray for their safety.

According to Drikpanchang, the Purnima Tithi begins at 15:45 on August 14 and Purnima Tithi will end at 17:59 on August 15.

Significance of Narali Purnima

During the monsoons, the fishing is stopped because of firstly the rains, and also it is the breeding season of the fishes. So before resuming and taking their boats out in the seas again, fishermen pray for calming of the sea and their own safety. Devotees offer worship to Lord Varun (Lord of Sea). They seek protection from all the dangers. Before the day of Narali Purnima, fishermen repair their boats, fishing nets so that they can venture into the waters again. They pray that the strength of the wind and the direction is favourable for fishing again.

Celebration of Narali Purnima

This day is of great importance to people of the Koli community, since it is a lot about their livelihood. After repairing their boats and taking a break of 3 months, it is time to restart into the fishing business. So for Narali Purnima, they decorate their boats. A special sweet is made with coconut along with coconut rice and savoury curry. Women of the Koli community also perform their traditional song and dance.

So Narali Purnima is one of the most significant festivals of the Kolis and it is a time of fervour in the Koliwada community. Men and women dress up in their traditional attires and it is an occupational festival celebrated in great enthusiasm.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 12, 2019 07:12 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).