Narali Purnima: Celebrating the Coastal Culture and Coconut Festival!

Also known as the coconut festival of Maharashtra, Narali Purnima is celebrated by the Koli community on the full moon day to mark the end of the monsoon season.

It's that time of the year for the Hindu fishing communities in Maharashtra aka Kolis when they gather, perform pooja, offer coconuts to the sea, and restart their business. Narali means coconut while Purnima signifies the full moon. It's a day-long festival where the community does a special pooja and offers coconuts that are painted golden to Varuna, the sea God while offering prayers.

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"A pot of copper which is decorated with a flower garland, leaves, wreath, and a coconut is used for the pooja preparation and later offered to the sea god by leaving it in the water. It is believed that after Narali Purnima the strength of the wind and its direction change in favour of fishing. Sagar shaant hojaata hai", said Kirti Ramesh Patel, a local fisherwoman at Sassoon Dock. 

This one-day festival is celebrated with zeal and fervour and the Koli community dresses up in traditional attires. The boats are decorated with colourful flower garlands and buntings, and some even paint them. New fishing nets are purchased and if not, the old ones are repaired. Some even observe the Shravani Upakarma by fasting without consuming any form of grain after which everybody sails into the sea in their decorated boat to start their business with enthusiasm. 

Kirti Ramesh Patel

"The community dances to the traditional folk songs, too. The performance usually takes place in the Budhwar Park of Cuffe Parade. The community also cooks a traditional feast of seafood items together. Machli ki Bhaaji, Jhinga, fried bombil, and pomfret are some of the much-loved dishes", she added. Naraali bhaat or coconut rice with narlachi karanji is also prepared in most homes. Some even plant coconut trees along the coast to show their devotion.

The pooja usually starts in the evening around 5 pm after which the golden coconuts are offered. The dance performances, singing, decorated boats, and people dressed up in their traditional attires make this festival even more beautiful. The pooja and the ritual of dropping the coconuts is a sight in itself, so if you happen to be in Mumbai, do plan a visit to Sasoon Dock or other koliwadas in the city to witness the celebrations.