Wednesday(30/8/2023):- The annual celebration of " NARALI PURNIMA" at Worli Koliwada village in Mumbai. This festival is celebrated in grand fashion and dedication by fisher community Hindus in the western coastal regions of India. Narali Purnima is the festival which is dedicated to Sea God Varun and according to the Hindu Calendar, it is observed on Purnima Tithi on the Full Moon day in the month of Shravana that's why it is known as Shravana Narali Purnima.Narali means coconut and Purnima means full moon day. Coconut is an important part of the puja as coconut is offered to Varun. Fisherfolk of Maharashtra offer prayers to the God and seek blessings of the Lord as it is believed that by doing so Lord Varun makes the sea and wind according to the fisherman and protects them from the unwanted incidents during sailing and fishing in the sea. Although not in the fishing business but having sailed the oceans on various ships as a "Marine Engineer" for 23 years i understand the unpredictability of nature and the high seas.
This day also marks the end of Monsoon season and the beginning of the fishing season and hence people dance and sing on this auspicious day to celebrate this amazing festival.This band procession began from the " Hanuman Mandir" of Worli Koliwada village winding in a procession through the narrow road of this unique original Koli( Fisherfolk) village in the heart of Mumbai city.The band members are wearing the typical red caps worn by the men folk of Koli fishing community while the women are dancing in their traditional Koli saree's .Don't miss viewing this annual traditional Koli festival .
