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| NARALI
POURNIMA |
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| Falls on :
The Full moon day of the
month of Shravan (July - August) |
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| Main Offering
:
Raksha Bandhan Festival |
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| Religion :
Offering of coconuts to the
Sea God |
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| Special
Preparations :
Sweet Coconut Rice |
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| The full moon day of the month of Shravan is
celebrated with characteristic fervour in different parts of Maharashtra and is
known variously as Narali Pournima, Shravani Pournima, Rakhi Pournima or Raksha
Bandhan. 'Naral' means 'coconut', and Narali Pournima is thus called because
people make offerings of coconuts to the sea-god on this day. |
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| This festival comes at the fag end of the
monsoons in Maharashtra, and offering coconuts to the sea is a sign that the
monsoons are over. Narali Pournima also marks the advent of the new fishing
season and fishermen appease the sea-god before sailing out in their decorated
boats. A prayer is made to the sea-god that he may allow fishermen to go to sea
and fish again safely.
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| This festival coincides with the festival of
Raksha Bandhan. The festival is a day of singing and dancing. On this day,
sweet coconut rice is made and eaten. |
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