Narali Purnima / Nariyal Purnima 2021: Every year the festival of Coconut Purnima is celebrated with great pomp. Coconut Purnima is also celebrated as Coconut Day. This festival is especially celebrated by the people of the Hindu religion living on the west coast of India. In different parts of India, this festival is celebrated with different names and in different ways.
In Maharashtra, the festival of Rakhi is celebrated in the name of Coconut Purnima and Shravani Purnima. On this special day, people go to the bank of the river or the sea, change their thread and worship the ocean. Apart from this, according to the folk beliefs here, coconut is offered here on this day to please Varuna, the god of water. It is said that due to worship, the beaches of Mumbai are filled with coconut.
On the other hand, Coconut Purnima is also a big festival of fishermen. The fishermen start their work from the day of Shravana Purnima. Before landing his boat in the sea, worship the deity Varuna and offer coconut in the ocean, so that there is no obstacle in the sea. After that, they set out on a journey.
In North India, the festival of Rakhi is celebrated on the day of Raksha Bandhan i.e. on the full moon of Bhadrapada, while the festival of Coconut Purnima is celebrated in the maritime regions in South India. Come let’s know five special things about Coconut Purnima.
- According to the Hindu calendar, Bhadrapada Purnima is called Coconut Purnima in all the maritime regions of South India including the Western Ghats.
- Coconut Purnima is especially the festival of all the fishermen. Fishermen also start fishing from this day by worshiping Lord Indra and Varuna.
- It is on this day that the god of rain Indra and the god of sea Varuna are worshipped. During the puja, coconut leaves are duly offered to him on the seashore. Meaning coconuts are thrown in the sea so that the ocean god protects us in every way. That is why this Rakhi Purnima is also called Coconut Purnima there.
- Before offering it to the ocean, the coconut is decorated well with yellow cloth and leaves, and then it is taken in a procession. Then after placing the coconut crest towards the sea, duly worshiped Archuna and after reciting the mantra is offered. After this incense and lamp are done. While offering coconut, we pray that ‘O Varundev, protect us from your fierce form and get your blessings’.
- In South India, every section of society celebrates this festival in its own way. On this day the wearers of the thread change their thread. For this reason, this festival is also called Abittam. It is also called Shravani or Rishi Tarpan.
