Home / Lifestyle / Culture / Photos / PHOTOS: Interesting facts about Narali Purnima festival celebrated by Kolis

PHOTOS: Interesting facts about Narali Purnima festival celebrated by Kolis

Updated On: 19 August, 2024 05:52 PM IST | Nascimento Pinto

As Mumbai`s Kolis, the city`s fishing community comes together today to celebrate Narali Purnima, also known as Nariyal Purnima, showcase their culture with the coconut, boats, song, dance and food

As Mumbai`s Kolis, the city`s fishing community comes together today to celebrate Narali Purnima, also known as Nariyal Purnima, showcase their culture with the coconut, boats, song, dance and food

1/6

As Mumbai`s Kolis, the city`s fishing community comes together today to celebrate Narali Purnima, also known as Nariyal Purnima, showcase their culture with the coconut, boats, song, dance and food
<p><strong>Significance&nbsp;</strong><br /><strong><a href="https://www.mid-day.com/lifestyle/culture/article/offering-coconuts-to-the-sea-eating-karanjis-and-decorating-boats-with-flowers-a-look-at-how-mumbais-koli-community-preserves-cultural-connection-to-the-sea-23376461" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nariyal Purnima is celebrated</a></strong> on full moon day to mark the end of the monsoon season and the start of the fishing season for the Koli community. It <strong><a href="https://www.mid-day.com/lifestyle/culture/article/what-is-narali-purnima-the-festival-that-coincides-with-raksha-bandhan-23377155" target="_blank" rel="noopener">coincides with Raksha Bandhan</a></strong></p>

2/6

Significance 
Nariyal Purnima is celebrated on full moon day to mark the end of the monsoon season and the start of the fishing season for the Koli community. It coincides with Raksha Bandhan

<p><strong>Religious rituals&nbsp;</strong><br />For this festival, the Koli community worships Lord Varuna, the God of sky and water, by offering a coconut to the sea. This ritual is a way to ask for calm waters and protection from natural water calamities.</p>

3/6

Religious rituals 
For this festival, the Koli community worships Lord Varuna, the God of sky and water, by offering a coconut to the sea. This ritual is a way to ask for calm waters and protection from natural water calamities.

<p><strong>Evolution of the festival&nbsp;</strong><br />Earlier, the community would worship a real gold coconut as part of the rituals. However, due to inflation, they now decorate the coconut with gold colour instead.</p>

4/6

Evolution of the festival 
Earlier, the community would worship a real gold coconut as part of the rituals. However, due to inflation, they now decorate the coconut with gold colour instead.

<p><strong>Celebration</strong><br />The community first decorates their boats with flowers and colourful crepe paper to get ready for their first sail after the monsoon. They set sail the day after Narali Purnima but not before coming together to sing, dance and celebrate with good food.</p>

5/6

Celebration
The community first decorates their boats with flowers and colourful crepe paper to get ready for their first sail after the monsoon. They set sail the day after Narali Purnima but not before coming together to sing, dance and celebrate with good food.

<p><strong>Food</strong><br />The food for Narali Purnima includes a <strong><a href="https://www.mid-day.com/lifestyle/food/article/from-karanjis-to-coconut-cream-pie-follow-these-quick-and-easy-recipes-to-celebrate-narali-purnima-or-simply-innovate-with-coconut-23377212" target="_blank" rel="noopener">signature dish called karanji</a></strong>, a sweet dish that is the highlight of the festival, which makes the whole family come together to make it the day before the festival. They also enjoy Narali bhaat (Coconut Rice) and Naralchai vadi (sweet dish). Since their livelihood and cuisine depends on seafood, they also enjoy different kinds of seafood dishes with friends and family on the day.</p>

6/6

Food
The food for Narali Purnima includes a signature dish called karanji, a sweet dish that is the highlight of the festival, which makes the whole family come together to make it the day before the festival. They also enjoy Narali bhaat (Coconut Rice) and Naralchai vadi (sweet dish). Since their livelihood and cuisine depends on seafood, they also enjoy different kinds of seafood dishes with friends and family on the day.

Photo of Day

Bliss by the beach

Bliss by the beach

A photographer holds up the lights during a photo session by the Madh Island seashore. PIC/NIMESH DAVE

Advertisement