Coconut Day Festival

Place and community

Coconut Day festival or Narali Purnima takes place in Maharasthra. It is celebrated mostly by the fishing community who offer their prayers for their safety to the sun-god Varuna.

Month

Narali Purnima is celebrated on full moon day in the month of Shravan.

Description

Coconut Day festival or Narali Purnima is celebrated each year with loads of fun by the people of Maharashtra namely the fishermen on the full moon day in the month of Shravan. The fishermen who have an endless love for the ocean offer coconuts to the sea-god Varuna who protects them from the wrath of the seas. The festival arrives at the fag end of the monsoons and the fisherman’s offering of the coconuts symbolizes the end of the monsoons and also the end of their troubles. It marks the beginning of the new fishing season. They please the gods before venturing out in the waters in their decorated boats. They pray to the sea-god that he may protect them from all the dangers and allow them to sail safely.

This day also coincides with Raksha Bandhan or Rakhi Purnima. Rakhi is celebrated all over India where sisters tie multi-colored rakhis on the wrists of their brothers. It symbolizes the bond of love and unity between brothers and sisters. In some parts of the country, many young boys on this day remove their old yagnopavit or scared thread and wear a new one. Sweets are distributed on the occasion of Narali Purnima.